Ebonyi State: Rep Igariwey, Other PDP Chieftains Set to Defect to APC, Says Party Chairman, Emeagha

From Omaka OKOH, ABAKALIKI 

The Chairman of the Ebonyi state All Progressive Congress (APC), Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, has revealed that arrangements have been concluded for the member representing Afikpo North/Afikpo South federal constituency, Rt. Hon. Iduma Igariwey, (PDP), and other leading opposition figures to defect to the ruling party.

Speaking at an interactive session with journalists at Abakaliki, Emeagha further revealed he has been in touch with the remaining few members of the opposition just as they are committed to collapsing opposition structures in the state. 

He said: " I can tell you authoritatively that the remaining opposition figures in the state including a serving federal lawmaker are on their way to the ruling APC in a matter of weeks.

“We are still committed to collapsing opposition structures in the state. I have been in touch with the remaining few members of the opposition and in weeks to come, a House of Representatives Member will officially defect to our party.”

"In Ebonyi, we are fully prepared. Even if the coalition is having effect in any other place, it can’t succeed in this state, because the governor, is doing marvelously well and the masses are with him because of that.”

"The coalition by major opposition forces in the country is not a threat to the party in the State. Governor Francis Nwifuru has collapsed opposition structures hitherto existing in the state through his sterling achievements and inclusive governance.

“The people have nothing against him to think of joining any opposition force ahead of 2027. It’s an act of God that we have this Governor at this moment of our history.

“He is someone that has a listening ears. His government is all inclusive. And the people are happy with him. So, the people have nothing against him as to think of joining any coalition.”

Emegha urged members of APC and its supporters in the State not to entertain panic about any coalition as it’s not going to have any effect on the state’s current political status quo.

“We are not panicking about any coalition and we also urge our supporters not to panic, because the masses are with us. We are strongly rooted, courtesy of the good governance we are enjoying under the present Governor.

“Those forming coalition are working in vain as they lack the capacity to unseat APC come 2027. Any man that has good ideas can’t be jumping from one party to another every election season in the name of opposition or coalition. When it is not them, they seek coalition. It must not be you all the time”, he stated. 

On the next general election, Emeagha said they cannot give tickets to unpopular candidates as they cannot win election even as he said coalition by major opposition forces in the country is not a threat to the party in the state.

“Our party will produce the candidates that will win election and serve the people well. You can’t take an unpopular candidate to election and expect to win. Everything will also be done in line with the party’s rules" he stated.

THE BEAGLE NEWS can authoritatively reveal that Igariwey has a close working relationship with Governor Francis Nwifuru and has been attending some important government functions in Abakaliki of recent.

It was also learnt that most of the his numerous supporters and henchmen have defected to APC long time ago while he still remains in PDP.  

Igariwey is the only PDP NASS member from Ebonyi state and is the chairman, Ebonyi State House of Reps caucus. He was a two time former chairman of Afikpo North local government area and a grassroots politician.

He is a three time member of the House of Representatives, representing Afikpo North/Afikpo South. His defection will be the nunc dimittis of PDP in Ebonyi state.