Awoniyi formally joined the APC at the party's National Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, in preparation for the upcoming governorship election in Kogi State on November 11.

Addressing the members of the APC National Working Committee (NWC), Awoniyi stated that he left the PDP to commend the significant achievements of the Bola Tinubu-led government.

The former deputy governor further elaborated that he joined the ruling party due to his firm belief that the Tinubu administration is effectively working to positively transform the nation.

Awoniyi expressed confidence that the next four to eight years would represent a substantial departure from the past experiences of Nigerians.

He said: “Thank you for giving me this opportunity to meet the party at this level. My decision to join the APC is occasioned by the need to appreciate the giant strides that this government has started to embark upon.

“It is quite clear that the next four or eight years will be a complete departure from what we have known. It is quite impressive and laudable, particularly in our state in Kogi where a lot is going on. And the future looks much brighter in the APC. That is my decision to join the APC.”

Awoniyi served as the deputy governor of Kogi State from 2011 to 2015 during Idris Wada’s administration.