The joining of the AKP by Cemil Tugay, who was elected Mayor of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality with the votes of CHP voters and continued his duty as an independent after the 'absolute nullity' decision within the party, continues to maintain its place on the agenda.
Cemil Tugay, who had previously made statements such as "There is not even a one-in-a-million chance of me joining the AKP" and who joined the AKP at a ceremony held today, and AKP President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan exchanged posts on social media.
ERDOĞAN: "IT WILL MEET WITH HEART-CENTERED MUNICIPALISM"
Making a post on his social media account after the ceremony, Erdoğan emphasized his support for Tugay and used the following expressions:
"I say 'Welcome to the AK Party family, you have brought joy' to İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Cemil Tugay, who joined us today.
I want to emphasize that we will support him with all our means in the struggle to serve İzmir, the pearl of the Aegean, and our brothers and sisters in İzmir.
May it be auspicious and beneficial for our İzmir to meet with heart-centered municipalism."
RESPONSE FROM TUGAY
Cemil Tugay, on the other hand, quoted this post by Erdoğan and responded with thanks.
In his post, Tugay included the expressions, "Glad to be here, Mr. President. We will continue to work with all our might to bring the most beautiful services to our İzmir, the pearl of the Aegean, and to carry our city to the point it deserves. May it be auspicious for our İzmir."
WHAT HAD HE SAID IN THE PAST?
Tugay, who joined the AKP, had argued in his past statements that it would be "unethical" for him to join the AKP, reminding that he was elected with CHP votes, and had said, "There is not even a one-in-a-million chance. I am not such a person. If I had to resign, I would resign from the mayoralty."
Tugay had denied the allegations that he might join the AKP by claiming that his mother had said, "I will disown you," and his wife had said, "I will divorce you."
News Source: 12punto
