Some top guns in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other political parties in Imo State, yesterday, defected en masse with their supporters to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Top on the list of the defectors were Hon Bede Eke (Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency), Rt. Hon Henry Nwawuba (Mbaitoli/ Ikeduru Federal Constituency) and Rt. Hon Ikenna Elezianya (Owerri Federal Constituency), all PDP chieftains and federal lawmakers from the Owerri zone.
The others included: Hon. Bruno Ukoha from Ezinihitte/Ahiazu Federal Constituency, PDP Apex Leader in Ngor Okpala, Hon. Emma Nwogu and Pastor Frank Onwumere from Okigwe.
The defectors, in unison, however, endorsed the second term bid of Governor Hope Uzodimma and pledged to work for his reelection come November 11, 2023.
Uzodimma, his deputy, Prof Placid Njoku, Dr. MacDonald Ebere, Imo State APC Chairman, Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu, APC National Vice Chairman, South East, among other key party members were on ground to welcome the new entrants into the APC fold.
Speaking, Uzodimma said: “My heart is full of joy. First, I will start by giving God glory. He set aside today for a reunion of men of good conscience from Imo State, those who understand the need for a united Imo State and a new Imo State. A state where everybody must be his brother’s keeper, a state where people must support a winning team to continue to play the match. I want to thank the Almighty God for that.
“I am particularly very happy that prominent leaders of our state representing the political class, have decided to give peace a chance, have bought into the idea that Imo State must be united and Imo must develop and there must be an economy in the state. I want to thank them, particularly those of them with national name recognition.
“Those who have been at the National Assembly speaking for and on behalf of our people. I am very happy that we have bought into the acronym that charity begins at home. My promise is that there are no new members of APC and there are no old members of APC. I want to assure them that they will not regret their decision because what is there to fight?
“For some of us, we are praying – kneeling in our various homes, and praying to Almighty God. Sometimes, we don’t even know when God has answered our prayer. I am indeed very happy that these great brothers of ours, and sisters, have seen the new dynamics of national politics.
“They have seen the new dynamics of the global economy. It is only when we are united and on the same page that we will be able to attract good development into our state. If we are not united, we will be divided, but if we are united we will not be divided and united we stand.
