Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt Hon Philip Shaibu, weekend formally received hundreds of defectors from the All Progressives Congress, APC and Labour Party into the People’s Democratic Party, PDP. The decampees were harvested from Okpekpe in Etsako East Local Government Area and Wards 9 & 10 comprising Apana, Iyuku Imeke, Iyamho, Avhiogena and Uluoke. in Etsako West Local Government Area of the state. They gave different reasons for dumping the broom for the big umbrella, ranging from betrayal to high handedness on the part of the party leadership.
The Deputy Governor urged the decampees and the party faithful to work in unity for the overall success of the PDP in the 2023 general elections.
He assured them that the defectors would enjoy all the rights, benefits and privileges enjoyed by other members of the party.
He said since the people had worked and supported him at all time, they should get ready to see more of developments in the area, stressing that no one would be left behind in the wave of development across the state.
Speaking earlier at the Palace of HRH (Apa) Peter Osigbemeh, the Onwueweko of Okpekpe, the Deputy Governor said, “I am here to receive my brothers and sisters from APC and other political parties and to reunite with them. It will be out of place for me not to pledge loyalty to the royal palace.”
“Under your reign and watch, Okpekpe is now on the world map and we are happy for the grace God has given to you.”
“People have been saying that I betrayed Comrade Oshiomole, I didn’t betrayed Comrade Oshiomole, he was the one who betrayed me and Edo people. I did not only bring Oshiomhole into politics, I Sustained him with my blood at the state house of assembly in attempt to save him from being removed from office. I was seen as a fighter because I was always fighting to sustain him in office as Governor. ”
“I put Edo University in the budget. It was supposed to be a modern school but I converted it to university and he knows.”
“We sow seed in him and we are supposed to be reaping the benefits now,, but instead, at 76 he is still the one kneeling down begging for vote.”
“The agreement we had with Oshiomhole in 2007 is to change the face of politics, say no to godfathers and one man one vote but he has become the godfather which eventually led to the loss of some Federal presence in terms of development in our state.”
HRH, the (Apa) Peter Osigbemeh, the Onwueweko of Okpekpe, while admonishing the Deputy Governor, prayed that God should bring both the Deputy Governor and Comrade Adams Oshiomole together under one political ideology, noting that he as a traditional ruler doesn’t belong to any political party, but the only political party he belongs to is the local government affairs and Comrade Philip Shaibu is the leader of that Local Government affairs.
The Deputy Governor however used the opportunity to commission a block of three classrooms, principal office, 100 four seater chairs and a toilet. It was built by Dr. Deborah R. Eezzuduemoh and her siblings In memory of their parents, Dr. James I.A Omotsa Eezzuduemoh and Mrs. Comfort Eezzuduemoh, Nee Iteghie.
Party leaders who accompanied the Deputy Governor to receive the decampees were; Senator Francis Alimikhena, Hon Andrew Momodu, Dr. Felix Iyalomhe, Hon Emma Akhaba, Hon Mrs Benedicta Ebuehi, Chief of Staff, Office of the Deputy Governor, Hon Imonofi Inusa, Hon Henry Duke Tenebe, Chief Tom Uloko, Chief Lucky James, Chief Press Secretary, Office of the Deputy Governor, Comrade Ebomhiana Musa amongst others.
