…We are not bothered, says party scribe
From Tony Osauzo, Benin
A gale of defections has hit the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Edo State as hundreds of party faithful have crossed over to ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The decampees include National President of Road Transport Employers Association (RTEAN), Alhaji Musa Isiwele; erstwhile PDP Ward 3 Unit Chairman in Esan West local government area, Mr Julius Ebhoman; and a former chieftain of the party in Otuo, Owan East local government, retired assistant commissioner of Police, Mr. Roland Omatoje. All former members of the PDP led hundreds of their supporters to the APC.
Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Pally Iriase, who received the PDP decampees into the APC said the defection would further deplete the opposition party and boost APC’s chances in future elections in the state.
He added that the PDP was overwhelmed by the infrastructure development being attracted to the locality and across the state.
The RTEAN president, who spoke on behalf of the new entrants to the APCC urged them to have faith in the party. He said the PDP, as a political organisation, has failed and lacked viable political future in Edo state, and noted that his decision to dump the PDP was informed by the desire to contribute his quota in the new agenda of the ruling government, which he said would take Edo central to the “Promised Land”.
Edo PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr. Chris Nehikhare, however, said the party is not bothered by the defectors.
He said they left the PDP because of economic reasons.
According to him, the PDP is more interested in how to restructure the party and make it attractive to Edo people.
“Those defecting are doing so because of economic situation and we sympathise with them. We are interested in the electorate and not in a few people.
“Their leaving will not affect our chances in future elections in the state. It will affect us if we do not carry out our restructuring plan”, he said. APC chieftains on ground to welcome the defectors to the party included; the State APC Chairman, Anselm Ojezua, All Edo Central Local Government Area Chairmen, Chief Francis Inegbeniki, the Uzoya of Esanland, Mr. Austin Emuan, the APC leader, Esan North East local government, Chief Okoror.