The 8 ex council Chairmen of PDP and others who decamped to the APC during the event
* As Urhoghide leads mass movement plus 8 ex Council chairs to APC
* We are ready to take back Osadebay Avenue, State Chairman asserts!
By Kingsley Abavo, Benin
The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has been hit with a Tsunami of defection as the race towards the Governorship election slated for the month of September 2024 gathers momentum.
Weekend in Benin the State Capital, former Chairman, Senate Committee on public accounts, Senator Mathew Urhoghide officially led a movement of a crowd of defectors to the main opposition Party; All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defectors include; eight former local Government Council Chairmen of the PDP, PDP leaders in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Council Area most from the Legacy group, led by Kelvin Egharevba Esq. who is said to be Governor Obaseki’s coordinator. Also leaders from part of Edo Central, and northern part of the State.
The eight former Council Chairmen were:
John Akhigbe – Etsako Central; Frank IIabhoya – Owan-West; Josy Ogedegbe – Igueben; Ruth Ekunwe – Esan – West; Napoleon Agbama – Uhunmwode; Andy Osigwe – Owan- East; Augustine Okoguele – Esan-North-East and Scott Ogbemudia – Ovia-North-East.
Leading decampees from the Owan-West axis, is the former clerk of the national Assembly, Patrick Giwa.
They, in their various speeches regretted being part of the Governor Godwin Obaseki led administration which they said did not work for the people of Edo.
Hence, driven by the passion to positively change the narrative, they were joining forces with other members of the APC to sack the PDP from government come September, they asserted.
“We have come to the realisation that this is the time; the dynamics of politics in Edo State have to change.
“Those presently occupying Dennis Osadebay Avenue have to vacate and we in APC are ready to take over!”
Mathew Urhoghide
He said the APC is a Party with matured, capable and responsible leadership which is his lure back to the fold.
Recalling that the ACN started as a movement and not a party; he said they were all convinced that there was a need for a leadership change to be effected in the State. “That same movement is going to start again.”
The mission to reclaim power for the APC is not one of vengeance but should be committed to the hands of God who alone gives power for the service of Edo people, Urhoghide urged.
Continuing he assured; “all the institutions that have been demonised, all the political class that have been scattered, all the acrimony and animosity that we see in this land, APC will cure them.”
We know what it has been, it has been very painful Urhoghide said adding; that it was a regret to have played a role in the enthronement of the Obaseki led PDP administration in the State.
Expressing his readiness to work for the Party’s victory in the election ahead, Urhoghide declared: “I have come for very serious business and not for bread and butter.”
Oshiomhole acknowledging the high political value of Urhoghide expressed happiness that he was back to the APC after God used him to deny the Party the Edo South senatorial seat for two consecutive terms and again in the 2023 Federal election, through his former Legislative aide, Neda Imasuen.
“We have in your person, a robust, resourceful, selfless, principled, rugged and dogged politician and that is why we can’t wait to have you to guide us through a very important electioneering process we are about to begin.”
Oshiomhole appreciating the decampees for coming to the APC noted the Party like the broom; has been strengthened with their addition for a productive result.
As the State Chairman of APC, Jarrett Tenebe noted that with the harvest of the decampees, it was a clear indication that the Party was ready for the battle ahead.
I am very desperate for us to win and I am an operations person he said adding; that he is not prepared to change until the APC gets to Osadebay Avenue in September.
At the event, Urhoghide was unanimously appointed as the Director General of Monday Okpebholo/Dennis Idahosa campaign for the September governorship election in the State.
Urhoghide who accepted the offer pledged that the APC will enthrone a responsible governornment and respect institutions.
He said the party would campaign with its developmental projects during ex-governor Adams Oshiomhole’s administration, in addition with its promises when elected to power.
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