Sakarya MP Ümit Dikbayır says Erdoğan personally invited him to join AKP
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Sakarya MP Ümit Dikbayır said on August 23 that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan personally invited him to join the ruling AKP during a meeting at the presidential palace. Dikbayır, who resigned from the CHP, said he told Erdoğan he could not decide alone and needed to consult his family and allies. He added that a possible joining date of August 14 was discussed, but the process later ended after a former party leader objected.
Key Facts
- Ümit Dikbayır said AKP Konya MP Ünal Karaman conveyed Erdoğan's invitation to meet.
- Dikbayır said Erdoğan expressed his wish for Dikbayır to join the AKP during their meeting.
- Dikbayır said he told Erdoğan he needed to consult his family, companions, and team before deciding.
- Dikbayır said a possible joining date of August 14 was discussed if evaluations were positive.
- Dikbayır said he received information that a former party leader objected to his AKP membership, ending the process.
The Invitation
Dikbayır said AKP Konya MP Ünal Karaman contacted him after his resignation from the CHP. Karaman told Dikbayır that President Erdoğan wanted to meet him and had extended an invitation. Dikbayır said he accepted the invitation, citing his 35 years of political upbringing. During the meeting, Erdoğan expressed his wish for Dikbayır to join the AKP.
Dikbayır's Response
Dikbayır said he told Erdoğan that joining the AKP was not a decision he could make alone or immediately. He said he needed to speak with his family, long-time companions, and team before deciding. Dikbayır said a possible joining date of August 14 was discussed if mutual evaluations were positive.
Process Ends
Dikbayır said he received information that a former party leader objected to his AKP membership during a meeting with Erdoğan. He said the process ended after that objection. Dikbayır was elected to parliament from the İYİ Party on May 14, 2023, and later moved to the CHP after being distanced by then-İYİ Party leader Meral Akşener.
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Sakarya MP Ümit Dikbayır says Erdoğan personally invited him to join AKP
