deBENIN CITY – A leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Esan North East Local Government, Mr. Gabriel Okoduwa, a former aspirant for the Edo State House of Assembly, Esan North East Constituency 1, Engineer Charles Ufua on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party and over 200 of their supporters have formally decamped to the All Progressives Congress  (APC).
Speaking at the ceremony yesterday in Benin City, the former House of Assembly aspirant, Engineer Charles Ufua said, “It is on record today that I contested for the primaries election for the nomination of candidates into the Edo State House of Assembly under PDP in Esan North East Constituency 1 where I was driven by my passion to represent my people and give quality representation to my constituency and political deliverables on the table for my people.
Engineer Ufua said, “Not too long after we have started, that my constituency witnessed dissaturation of my political campaign strategy, a cross section of my party leadership called on me, a high profile  one and they decided to persuade and prevail on me to step down for the incumbent to do a 2nd term.
“Not too long from then, I also discovered inconsistency on certain things that were promised to me on the table. Just when I was wondering what could be the fate of things, it became clear as I heard that the chief convener of that peace accord to step me down have even moved to the All Progressives Congress.
Engineer Ufua further said, “From there a strong committee was put in place to go and prevail on him to pull him back. By the time I sat down  to speak, I was later called and lectured on the political ideologies and philosophy of APC so I said to myself, I have no business to returning to where I am coming from. So I stayed comfortably and today I have come to formally join the APC with hundreds of my supporters.
He however solicited the cooperation of Comrade Oshiomhole in order to completely dismantle the rigging machines of PDP in Esan North East and Edo State in general.
Also, another PDP leader in Ward 6, Uzea, said, “The people of Uzea and the entire Peoples Democratic Party are tired of being bamboozled by PDP and its cronies in Esan North East. We have seen the visible projects of the Comrade Governor in Areas of School rehabilitation, construction of roads and supplies of water in our communities and most recent the appointment of our own son, Rt. Hon Frank Okiye as Deputy Chief of Staff. For all these and many others we have come to say thank you.
Speaking with journalist, the APC leader in Esan North East Local Government, Prince Joe Okojie said there is a great wind of change blowing across the state and the local government in particular.
“My people especially those in the opposition PDP could no longer hide the fact that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is working in Edo State and so have decided to join the train of development in the state.
On the influence of a top PDP Leader, Chief Tony Anenih in the area in the forth coming general election, Prince Okojie said, “There is no doubt that Chief Anenih’s impact in the forth coming election in the area is not questionable but  APC has fully taken over the political land space in Esan North East following the mass defection of PDP members in the area”.
He however urged all Esan people within and outside the state to ensure they collect their permanent voter’s card in order to vote in General Muhammadu Buhari as President and all APC candidates in the forth coming elections.
In his remark, Governor Adams Oshiomhole expressed joy at the mass defection of PDP faithful to APC in Esan North East.
He said, “The changes which have taken place in Edo will be the same change General Muhammadu Buhari will bring about if voted as President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces come February 14, 2015.
Comrade Adams Oshiomhole said, “With Buhari on board, there will be change in our economy, change in the political attitude of the people, change in corruption change in unemployment to employment and most importantly, change from darkness to light.
While promising to extend more developmental projects to the area, Oshiomhole called on the people to go to INEC office at their Local Government Headquarters and collect their permanent voters card which according to him, “Is your strength and energy to effect changes”.