A massive defection on Saturday hit the All Progressives Congress
(APC) in Delta state as over one thousand people defected from the APC
to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ughelli North and Aniocha
North council areas of the state.
The defection may not be unconnected with the arrival of Chief James
Ibori, former governor of the state, who is going round strengthening
the party and reconciling members especially in the Urhobo axis of the
state.
In Delta state, it is believed that Ibori is the political godfather
of the state and whichever party he joins, the greater number of the
people of Delta will move along with him.
A week after Ibori’s arrival, a staunch propagandist of the APC in the
state who dealt with Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in the days of the
campaign and court cases, Fred Latimore, defected to the PDP, giving
flimsy excuses for his defection.
Spokesman of the defectors in Ughelli North, David Ughelliyovwe, told
the crowd that they were poised to move to the PDP because they had
seen light in the PDP, giving credit to the house of assembly member
in the area, Eric Oharisi.
He described the PDP and Oharisi as a good commodity, a development
which led to the members of the APC in the local government joining
the PDP massively and pledging to remain faithful to the party and
working with the state government.
Oharisi who received the defectors, admonished them to be consistent
in their belief in the PDP that they will always be carried along in
the government of Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and they would forever be grateful
to God for their wise decision.
Also, in Aniocha North are of the state, a staunch member of the APC
with his followers, Emmanuel Baxim Chinye, defected to the PDP and
were received by the state PDP chairman, Kingsley Esiso.
The reception was witnessed by large crowd of PDP leaders and
followers in the state. It was also followed with wide jubilation in
the affected areas.
