By Oye Chukwujekwu,
Asaba
Ahead of the 2018 Local Government elections and the 2019 general elections, no fewer than 5,000 All Peoples Congress (APC) members at Orogun, Ughelli North Local Government Area and the home of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, at the weekend defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The state Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has already assured that the PDP would provide level play field for members of other political parties, especially, members of the APC who joined the PDP.
Addressing the defectors, the governor pointed out that the APC and most political parties in the country were populated by former members of the PDP, stressing that they would always be welcomed.
“You are returning home to your family, a family where there is no discrimination. Those who want to return are free to do so because, working together, I believe we will win in all elections,” Okowa said while receiving the defectors.
Chairman of the PDP in the Local Government, Hon. Lawrence Agbatutu, had presented the defectors led by Hon. Friday Akpoyibo to the state chairman of the party, Kingsley Esiso who received them with the Governor at the carnival-like event which was also attended by top politicians in the state.
The governor commended the courage of the defectors for returning to the party they originally belonged, saying, “we have every reason to rejoice today, we need to work together for the large population of Ughelli North to translate to actual votes. This is the time for the people of Ughelli North to vote for development, not based on sentiments.
“It is in the best interest of the Urhobo people to remain in the PDP. We will continue to consolidate on the success of the PDP since 1999. I will not discriminate in the act of governance,” the Governor said, reiterating, “we will achieve the Delta State of our dream where everyone will relate as brothers and sisters when we work in unity.”
Akpoyibo had in an address, said, “PDP has brought hope and smile to millions of people, both old and young, educated and not educated; today, APC leadership and members alleged that economic melt down, recession and all the problems in Nigeria are caused by PDP, can APC leaders or members say that they were not at one time or the other the shakers and movers of PDP?
“All APC members today came from PDP, therefore, the present leadership of APC are to be held responsible for the problems in Nigeria, PDP made me who I am and others today, therefore, we have decided to go back to the mother and father of all political parties in Nigeria, the PDP,” he said, asserting, “PDP is a healthy party with leadership that has the interest of its followers at heart.”
Another defector, Hon. Sylvester Ovbije said, “I am leaving APC because the party is filled with liars and deceptive people.”
Chairman of the occasion, Brig-Gen. Dominic Oneya, and other PDP chieftains in the area, Chief Grace Odin, Hon, Samuel Mariere, Hon. Eric Oharisi, Hon. Solomon Awhinawi, Surv. Terry Noah, Dr. Steve Oru, Olorogun David Edevbie and others who spoke at the occasion observed that the leadership qualities of Governor Okowa increased the fortunes of the PDP in the state.
