No fewer than 600 former members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday, defected to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Igbanke East, West, and Aibiokunla wards in Edo.
The development is coming barely 49 days to the September 21 governorship election in the state as various political parties participating in the election intensified their campaign activities across Edo.
At Igbanke East and West wards,the defectors from the APC were led by Past Godwin Eleduwa and Mr Monday Otah, while the ones from the LP were led by the Labour Party’s Woman Leader in Igbanke, Mrs Esther Onyijem.
At Abiokunla Ward 1 and Ward 2, the defectors were led by Mr Francis Osawe, Marvelous Emmanuel, Osarobo Roseline, and Peter Ugiagbe.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Pastor Godwin Eleduwa said they have come to add value to the PDP and ensure the party wins the September 21 governorship election in Edo.
Receiving the defectors of the party, the Edo State PDP Chairman, Dr Tony Aziegbemi, commended the people for embracing light by joining the Party.
He enjoined the people to work hard for the victory of the PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo, and his running mate Barr Osarodion Ogie in the coming election.
Earlier, the Director-General of the Edo State PDP Governorship Campaign Council, Hon Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, said Asue Ighodalo and Osarodion Ogie’s administration will support market women, and farmers and give scholarships to Edo students if elected into office.
“The Asue Ighodalo and Osarodion Ogie Government when they come on board will support market women and farmers and give scholarships to our students.
“When PDP was in government, a bag of rice was sold for #8,000, today a bag of rice is sold for #95,000. We don’t want those that will use Edo State money to build houses in Lagos or abroad. APC has failed us, let us use their broom to sweep them away,” Iduoriyekemwen charged.
However, a mild drama ensued, as Ighodalo and his running mate, Osarodion Ogie arrived at Igbanke Primary School, the venue for Igbanke East and West Ward-to-Ward campaigns.
Ighodalo, who was going round to greet party members and supporters was held back by an Octogenarian woman, Madam Mary Osagie, who asked him to sit down and whispered into his ears in pidgin “Oga we still de hungry oo”.
Responding, Ighodalo said he was touched by the woman’s condition, but promised that they have come to end hunger in Edo.
“The high cost of food is a result of the policies of the APC Government which has affected every aspect of our lives.
“What myself and Osarodion want to do is to remove all suffering. Whatever APC is doing should be restricted to Abuja, they should leave us alone in Edo,” he said.
