Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
There was a bumper harvest of political souls in Uhonmora-Ora (ward 2) in Owan West LGA of Edo State as a large number of notable members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) members joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the September 2024 gubernatorial election in the state.
The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, while receiving the decampees, said the defection of the APC members to join the PDP is a welcome development in the state’s socio-political and developmental phase.
He noted that they would work together to realise the victory of Asue Ighodalo and Osarodion Ogie as Governor and Deputy Governor respectively, in the September governorship election and beyond.
Speaking further, Rt. Hon. Agbebaku pointed out, “Your concession to the further integration and progress of our state has been green-lighted with your decision to join this great family of the PDP. We envisioned a fuller and more united house, equal, prosperous, and purposeful and here you are to identify with us; indeed, more pleasant surprises are coming.”
The speaker added, “God has been helping us to engage our youth, women and men productively. We will continue to do what will make you smile as your son.
“I urge you to continue to support the party. Our dream in the imminence of time is to ensure that PDP wins the 2024 gubernatorial in Edo election but more exclusively corroborate with our people to reach out with their needs through credible representation in leadership. “With the calibre of people joining us today, victory is already assured, and together, we will achieve more.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Mr. Akhimie Best, one of the first generation and founding fathers of PDP in Owan West and who also served as APC ward leader, noted that, “we are joining the PDP because of Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku.
From now we are now in PDP.
Our son cannot be the Speaker, seeing to the impact he has been making and we remain in the APC.
We are confident of the PDP’s victory in the September 2024 governorship election in Edo state; there is no doubt the PDP has won.”
Mr Ilevbaje Friday and Chief Osawemen Idowu also expressed optimism that the PDP would carry the day, considering that Rt. Hon. Agbebaku’s leadership style has succeeded in bringing people together, irrespective of party differences.
The high point of the event was the speaker’s official presentation of the party’s flag to the defectors, assisted by the party’s leadership in the ward.