THE chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday, decamped to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The decampees which included Chief Terry Otuya who contested for House of Representatives and served as Deputy Chairman of the APC in the state; Barr. Nelson Enumah, Chief Aghanenu, among others took place at a grand reception organised by Ndokwa nation in honour of the Secretary of the PDP, Engr. Daniel Ossai at Utagba-Uno, Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State.
At the rally-like event, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa expressed joy with the fortunes of the party in the state and beyond, asserting that Ndokwa will remain the home of the PDP.
The governor also, restated his commitment to the pact with Ndokwa Neku Union led by Brig-Gen. Mike Ndubuisi (retd), to give more attention to the area.
He said that he was praying for an Ndokwa man to occupy a prime position in the next political dispensation in the state and commended the people for making a bold statement with the reception for their son.
“Let me assure you that all I agreed with the leadership of Ndokwa-Neku Union when they visited me recently I will execute all the agreements.
“Above all that, it is my prayer and I am praying everyday that an Ndokwa person will occupy a prime position in the next dispensation.’’
Receiving the defectors, Chairman of PDP in the state, Chief Kingsley Esiso, described APC as “noise makers” and vowed to chase them out of Delta.
“They are free to make their noise but they are aware that when the chips are down they cannot stand the PDP machinery in Delta.
“I doubt their capabilities; so, don’t believe their promises; they are all lies. How can anybody truly called a Deltan be deceived by that party called APC?
“Today, Nigeria is now the poverty headquarters of the world because of APC’s poor leadership in the nation.
“They can do whatever they like anywhere particularly, Abuja, but let them know that Delta is a no-go-area for them,’’ he said.
Esiso challenged Senator Peter Nwaoboshi to an election contest in 2023, saying “tell that man, Peter Nwaoboshi whom we all worked hard to send to the Senate twice, that if his name is really Nwaoboshi, let him come and contest in 2023.
“We will defeat him in the nine local governments of Delta North.”
Chairman of the occasion, Admiral Mike Onah (retd), in his remarks, said that Ndokwa nation was grateful to the PDP for appointing their son as State Secretary.
He urged him to work hard to leave a legacy that Ndokwa nation and Delta State would be proud of.
On her part, a former Presidential Adviser, Dr Esther Uduehi, said Ndokwaland was united for the PDP and urged the people to remain resolute for the party in the area.
Also, Chief Godwill Obielum, expressed confidence that the PDP will remain strong in the area while Chief Monday Onyeme who spoke on behalf of Senator Patrick Osakwe emphasized that there was no room for opposition political parties in Ndokwa land as the area is home of the PDP.
Speaking on behalf of the APC defectors, Chief Otuya, said they that all of them agreed to dump the APC because the party lacked leadership and direction.
“We the erstwhile members of the APC hereby dump our brooms and we have all agreed to embrace the PDP.
“We built the PDP in 1999 and we have only been on sabbatical.
“We used to be PDP’s albatross but now that we are back at home, we will work harder to ensure victory for the PDP, going forward,’’ he said.
Earlier, Chairman of the PDP in Ndokwa West, Ogbuefi Lucky Okuji who spoke on behalf of his counterparts in Ukwuani and Ndokwa East Local Government Areas, Engr. Patrick Kaine and Chief Vincent Osilonya respectively, said, “<span;>with the 2023 general elections approaching, the political landscape is getting charged; it is normal for such to be as the few members of the opposition party will do anything to get the attention of our members.
“They are known for noise making and no doubt few of our members who have been hoodwinked by their noise have realised that it is not unexpected for empty cans to make so much noise; as such, we are ready and willing at all times to welcome back those who went to experiment. Why not? Without being immodest, all those who are in the opposition political parties today, were at a time, members of our great party and we are confident that the umbrella will remain intact and ready to cover them whenever they discover that it is only the PDP that can assure them of better deal democratically.
“I wish to commend our Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa who is the leader of our party in the state for being a great party man who has made our party stronger through different means: respect for leaders of our party in the state and beyond, executing people-oriented programmes that have given Deltans sense of belonging in government, among several others.
“Engr. Dan Ossai has already settled down as an administrator and scribe of our great party and all that is required of us is to support him, support our party in whatever way for us to achieve greater results.”
In a vote of thanks, Ossai expressed gratitude to Governor Okowa and the party for finding him worthy to serve, and assured that he would do his best to uplift the party in the state.
