Edo PDP Chieftains Decry Internal Wrangling, Defect to APC

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

Former Minister of Works Mike Onolememen and ex-Director-General for Obaseki/Shaibu Edo 2020 Governorship Campaign Gideon Ikhine have disclosed the reason for defecting from PDP to APC ahead of the 2024 governorship election.

The two former PDP chieftains, also governorship aspirants, bared their minds at Uromi, headquarters of Esan Central LGA, when the Edo Central leadership of APC received them, saying their former party was in disarray.

According to Onolememen, they must move with the current political realities in the country, that APC is now the ruling party and that there is a need to support the Senate president, who is from the South-South and the leader of the party in Edo Sen. Adams Oshiomhole.

“We have come into an unusual time and that was why we started talking to each other that things are no longer the way they used to be. What that meant is that it’s about time for us to move out and look for a better place for our people,” stated Onolememen. “Whether you like it or not, national politics has changed.”

Onolememen added, “There is no point deceiving oneself. We know there is a new era, and we need to align with the reigning party, the APC. If we want progress in this senatorial district, we need to re-order our steps. That is why I have met with my people several times and told them to get ready. It is time we move en masse to the APC.”

    Ikhine said he joined APC to ensure “that we take over the government.”

The politician explained, “This is to let the people understand that come 2024, we APC will occupy Osadebey House. There is peace in APC. There is no wrangling. I had been in the PDP; it was a wonderful party, but today, it is not what it was anymore.”

 Receiving the ex-PDP stalwarts and their supporters, APC leader in Edo Central senatorial district, General Cecil Esekhaigbe (retd.), said their joining the opposition party was a precursor to victory in the 2024 governorship election.

 “These are great personalities. They are well-known in Nigeria and political circles, so what this has shown today is that the APC is the party to join, and it is very significant because as we prepare for 2024, it is crystal clear that Esan will produce the next governor so for this calibre of people that have joined us,” said Esekhaigbe. “You can see that with them the push is on and we will get there by the grace of God.”