Edo 2024: Ex-PDP BOT Member Joins APC
From Imafidon OSAZUA (Benin)
Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT) member, Hon. Charles Idahosa, who recently resigned his membership of the party in Edo State, yesterday, rejoined the All Progressives Congress (APC), his former party.
Idahosa, who was Political Adviser to ex-Comrade Governor Adams Oshiomhole, while expressing happiness to the leadership of the party in Edo State, South Senatorial District and supporters, recalled that "four years ago there was grumble in the family and some of us have to go our separate ways.
"I thank God, four years later we all are wiser now. Like the secretary said, I was a founding member of ACD, ACN and APC. The damage we did four years ago, the APC never remained the same.
"But am glad we are back to the family. I was nominated to the Board of the Railway when I was in the APC. When I moved to the PDP, I wrote to resign my membership but it was rejected and showed my wide acceptance.
"At 71, am not here to contest position with anybody, I am here to work", Idahosa assured members of the APC and urged them to keep their eyes on the ball, adding "It is not over until it is over".
Peeved by Governor Godwin Obaseki's comment that those leaving PDP have been given money and that the party will win 80 percent of the votes in the forthcoming governorship election, Hon. Idahosa said the greatest thing that will befall the APC is to allow Obaseki to win again.
"When he came to beg me like a weather beaten chicken, how much did he give to me? Anytime he goes religious gathering he would say those leaving PDP have been given money. The greatest regret I have is not allowing Obaseki to resign after his first four years in office.
"He came to me three times in my house to say he wants to resign, that he was tired of being Governor but I appealed to him, telling him it was not about him but Benin interest.
"Obaseki is suffering from delusion of grandeur by saying that he would win 80 percent of the votes. Where will he get the votes?, Idahosa queried.
He therefore urged APC members in the state to unite, saying "This is not time for division in the APC, we will return Edo to APC".
The former PDP chieftain lashed out at those underrating Senator Monday Okpebholo's qualification to be Governor and said doing so is like underrating Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin, who they say didn't go to school but the first black man to own a Boeing 747, who has trained many graduates and owned a university.
Earlier, Secretary of the Edo State chapter of the APC, Engr. Lawrence Okah, while introducing Hon. Idahosa, said he was a founding member of the party, adding "We are here basically to receive him back home, he went on sabbatical".
He then called on the Chairman and Secretary of Uhunmwonde Local Government APC to issue the party membership card to Idahosa, who he described as "the doyen of Edo South politics".
In his comment, former deputy governor of the state and Leader of Edo South APC, Dr. Pius Odubu, said "I am very elated to have our senior brother Hon. Charles Idahosa back, to have a former BoT member of another party join your party is a good catch anytime any day.
"Hon Charles Idahosa was a former commissioner in Edo State, Special Adviser and indeed an integral of the success story of the Adams Oshiomhole administration. So, like he said, there was a little issue and we went our separate ways, now we are back together and I tell you in Benin they say when you see hills you know that a river is close by so with Chalie Tempo back on board, APC is closer now to the promise land, APC will bring Edo State back to the fold of progressives, he has a large followers and also a large fan base, we are going to harness that even beyond the shores of Uhunmwonde".
Among those who graced the ceremony were former deputy governor and Edo South Leader of the APC, Dr. Pius Odubu, National Woman Leader of the party, Dr. Mary Alile, Rep member representing Uhunmwonde/Orhionmwon Federal Constituency, Dr. Billy Osawaru and other ranking party members.
