Nosa Adams addressing the detectors
By Kingsley Abavo in Benin
As the race to the September Governorship election hots up, on Saturday, 1 June, 2024 in Benin the Edo State Capital, members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Legacy group across the 10 Wards in Egor Local Government Area defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Even Ward 4, domain of the PDP Local Government Council Chairman, Odion Olaye was not spared.
PDP long time Chieftain, Nosa Adams led the decampees which also include members of the Local Government Council executive, to the APC.
The event which was described by the APC as a big harvest, was attended by Party leaders led by the former two times governor of Edo, and former national Chairman, Senator Adams Oshiomhole.
Others in attendance were the Party State Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, Lawrence Okah, State secretary, State Publicity Secretary, Prince Peter Enosoregbe Uwadiae Igbinigie Esq. and other members of the Party State working committee.
Senator Mathew Urhoghide, former House of representative member, Razaq Bello, former deputy Governor of the State, Lucky Imasuen amongst others were witnesses.
Nosa Adams while addressing the gathering said though it was not time for any speech making, he asserts that they were joining the APC to give the Party at least 20,000 votes from Egor to help defeat governor Godwin Obaseki’s anointed candidate Asue Ighodalo and his running mate, Osarodion Ogie.
He added, that they were immediately going to work and “after we have won, we will make speeches.”
Oshiomhole led the APC to receive the defectors and as he welcome them on board, he asserts, together we will work to ensure the defeat of the PDP and Labour Party.
“Of course APC will return to governance in Edo and our next Governor knows where to start.
“He doesn’t need a torch light, he can see all the things that have stopped; he will reignite the engine of growth and development in this great State.”
The national Lawmaker assured the defectors who he described as returnees; that they are not strangers in the APC and will not be treated as one.
Recalling that Egor in the 2012 Governorship election gave him 96 percent of votes, with the joining of force, the APC when enthroned in September will re-enact all the good works it did before, he said.
“We made a conscious effort to de-flood Egor and now, the floods are back. This man (Monday Okpebholo) without speaking grammar, without consultancy, he will re-dredge all those flooding areas in Egor, and beyond.
“I drove tractors so water could flow; I didn’t use consultants. What we need today is the man who can do and not the man who can talk. If talking will change Nigeria, the country would have been better than America.”
He assured that the APC candidates would spend their time working for the common good of Edo people instead of talking. “This man knows that what Edo people need now is not talking but to do and he will do.”
Oshiomhole asserts that while he was coming for the Governorship, some persons said that he had no former education; primary school certificate but it did not stop him from working for the people; executing projects that resonated with their needs. The same would be with the APC candidates; he promised.
The Party candidate, Monday Okpebholo while appreciating the decampees for joining the APC, he asserts that Edo is about to witness a new era of unprecedented development when he becomes the governor.
Also, Dennis Idahosa the running mate while speaking asserts that from the mass movement of the PDP to the APC, it would be almost impossible for the Party (PDP) to have agent during the election in Egor.
This is as the State Chairman of the APC Jarrett Tenebe while formerly receiving the decampees, assured that they have equal rights with every member asserting that the Party was one of opportunities.
He urged them to key into the existing structure and begin work immediately for the bigger battle ahead; to ensure victory for the APC and reclaim the seat of power; Osadebay Avenue come September.
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