Over 1,650 Edo PDP members defect to APC

Exactly a month to the February 14 general
elections, the Edo State chapter of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) has lost more of its
members to the ruling All Progressives Congress
(APC).
Over 1,650 PDP members in Uhunmwode Local
Government Area yesterday dumped the party for
the APC.
Receiving the defectors, led by Justin Omoruyi,
Edo Sate Deputy Governor Pius Egberanmwen
Odubu described their decision as “quite
gratifying”.
The deputy governor noted that the defection had
also increased the APC chances of winning next
month’s general elections in the state.
He said the APC was an all-inclusive, participatory
party, irrespective of whether or not the members
were new or old.
Dr. Odubu said the party would continue to ensure
equal opportunities for the people to have a sense
of belonging in the party’s activities.
He said: “The people I saw coming into the APC
are those we have always worked with since
1980s. What happened today is very reassuring:
Uhunmwode is 99.9 per cent APC.
“I thank the leader of the local government, Charles
Idahosa, for bringing them (the defectors) back.
Their defection has further lightened the burden of
APC in winning next month’s elections.”
On the candidates for the National Assembly and
House of Assembly elections, Odubu said they
were tested on their wealth of experience and
competence to deliver the people from the
shackles of poverty.
Idahosa hoped that APC would sweep the February
elections in the local government, with the
defection of the former PDP members.
He said: “Over 500 PDP leaders from across the
local government have just joined the APC. This is
even without their followers. With this, it is over for
the PDP in the local government.”