Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has advised defectors to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to imbibe the progressive ideology of the party.

He said those coming with self-centred mind might find it difficult acclimatising with the system.

Speaking with newsmen in Ilorin after his declaration as the governor-elect in Saturday's governorship election, Ahmed played down the impact of the defection in his re-election.

He said after the presidential and National Assembly elections of March 28, the APC has proved its superior strength over other parties.

He, however, said that the defectors were welcomed into APC, adding: "To the extent that they have resolved to imbibe the progressive politicking, they will be very welcomed and we will be able to drive the system accordingly.

"We recognise that with the results of the first elections, we had clearly demonstrated our superior strength in numbers. So, to that extent, we see that the defectors were coming in to join a strong winning team. I wouldn't say the defectors had an impact in our emerging victorious.

"Those that defected are coming in to share in the new ideology of change, in the new dawn of the type of governance Nigeria has just seen that will make a difference to current and future political position of this country."

The governor described his re-election as a victory for all Kwarans.

"This victory is for Kwarans who have decided to join the change process that Nigeria is going through today," he said.