Benin City – The People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo state has lost its key players in Oredo local government area to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
While leading a large number of members including caucus and party leaders to the APC, Mr Dennis Evbomwan said the PDP has sunk in disarray because of the selfishness and self centeredness of national party leaders.
Amongst the defectors included, Mr Tony Anileh, Madam goldenpenny, Mr Pius Izemwingie, Ikponmwonsa Usiobafoh, Mrs Vero Aguebor, Wilfred Enabulele Secretary ward 5, and Mr Ebima Ogbeide.
Evbomwan who described the PDP as forgotten party said, “I have been a leader of the PDP for a long time but when the ship I sinking you don’t need to sink with it. I am here with my canvassers, unit heads and executives of some wards in Oredo to join the APC to fight the course which we believe in”.
Also speaking Mr Ebima Ogbeide who said the defection was home coming for him noted that he has no regret coming to join the APC to guarantee victory for its candidate.
According to him, “Today for me is home coming. When I resigned from the PDP three weeks ago, it was public knowledge because I have been used and dumped far too often.
“I have no regrets coming with my unit heads and ward executives to declare support and endorse Obaseki and his running mate Hon Philip Shaibu.
He continued, “When I speak I am committed to what I say. This is action time what is left now is for the chairman of the party to integrate all those who have come to the party especially at the unit level because we don’t have too much time.
“We did it before and I know by the grace of God we are going to win this election “. He stated.
The defectors were received by the APC National Chairman of the party, Chief Odigie-Oyegun, Governor Adams Oshiomhole, and the APC governorship candidate, Mr Godwin Obaseki.
Welcoming the defectors, the state Chairman of the party, Mr Anslem Ojezua promised to integrate them into party Structure and described the defection as an insurance that the APC will win the September election.
“Today is a day of answered prayers for me and our party”. He said.
“What is significant today is all of them coming to join us are no strangers. In one way or the other I am particularly close to them and that makes my joy even more complete.
“If we believe we will win before, this is a real insurance that Edo state is safely in the hands of APC because the only significant amour left in PDP has come to join us today and therefore, I have no fear.
“I know what you have come to do is to add serious value to what we have.
“Our party philosophy is that all man are equal but the beauty of politics is that at one time or the other we have worked together and therefore we know ourselves very well.
“For us the backbone of the PDP. And so the PDP is truly dead and the burial date is the 10 of September”. He added.
Obaseki who also welcomed the defectors thanked them for their endorsement and said, “In Oredo we are one, I cannot be governor without my brothers and so we have to be together”.
