Igiebor, Ijaws in Edo and others Dump ACN

 

By Nosa Uwaidiae.

A former Peoples Democratic Party Chairman at Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State Mr. Emmanuel Igiebor who had decamped to Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday returned to PDP.

Also decamped yesterday was Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s aide, Prince Victor Idemudia alongside over 4,000 people from Orhionmwon and Ovia South West local government areas of the state at a rally held at the PDP state secretariat in Benin City.

Igiebor who is popularly known as ‘mobilizer’ defected with thousands of his supporters to his former party.

He said his movement from the ACN to PDP has already caused ‘threat and tsunami’ to the party (ACN). He said he and his supporters decided to re-join the party because Oshiomhole and ACN members have nothing to offer to Edo people.

“I’m back to my original party. It’ll interest you to know that they (ACN) have masks on their faces which they use for others. They pretend to be straight forward whereas the reverse is the case. It’s only those that have not been with them that will think that all is well with them.”

“I have returned to the party to work with my colleagues to ensure the emergence of the party and its’ candidate (Maj. Gen. Charles Airhiavbere) to the Osadebey Government House come November 12.” He added.

Prince Victor Idemudia, who was a member of the Committee on Protection of Government Property under Governor Adams Oshiomhole administration, said his decision to dump Oshiomhole’s government and the ACN was occasioned by lack of visionary leadership of the administration. “There is no way and prospect in the ACN” he stated.

Thousands of Ijaws in Edo also defected from ACN to PDP yesterday. The spokesperson for the Ijaws, Timi Robert, said they joined the PDP because of President Goodluck Jonathan who is their kinsman and leader of the PDP, besides, he added that they have not felt the impact of Oshiomhole in the state.

He assured that all the Ijaws in Edo State will work to ensure victory for Gen. Airhiavbere and the PDP, stating that such a victory is a victory for President Goodluck Jonathan and the entire Ijaw nations.

Receiving the decamped on behalf of the party, the Director General of Airhiavbere Campaign Committee, Sen. Odion Ugbesia assured them that they will not be discriminated against. He said they will be given all the supports to ensure they work for the party to be victorious in the forthcoming gubernatorial poll.

Addressing the mammoth crowd, the PDP governorship candidate, General Charles Airhiavbere (rtd) expressed delight that they have been redeemed from darkness.

He urged them to go to their various units, wards to ensure they win them for PDP to flush out ACN from Edo State.

While thanking them for believing in him, Airhiavbere described those in ACN as “prisoners of war who ran the state aground. He reassured that he will restore those things that have eluded the state in the past.”

Those in attendance include the state PDP Secretary, Mr. Felix Otubor, the former Deputy Governor of Edo State and one of the leaders of Edo South, Lucky Imasuen, Deputy Chairman of the party, Hon. Christopher Adesotu and the state PDP Publicity Secretary, Pharm. Matthew Urhoghide.

Also in attendance was Airhiavbere’s running mate, Hon. Johnson Abolagba, Gen. Godwin Abe (rtd), Edo State PDP Acting Women Leader, Mrs. Eghe Tesorae, and Mrs. Uwa Oselemo among others.

By Nosa Uwaidiae