Edo Guber Election: PDP Harvests APC Supporters In Akoko-Edo 

From Imafidon OSAZUA (Benin)

BENIN CITY - IT was a bumper harvest for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP yesterday as no fewer than 500 persons from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Labour Party (LP) in Wards 1 and 8 in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo defected to the party .

The defectors, majorly from the APC were received by the PDP local government area chairman Kayode Ogunubi and Ward 1 chairman Shegun Okongo popularly called 'Shadow.'

The leaders of the defectors in their separate remarks expressed their commitment and readiness to deliver PDP to both the two wards and the local government in the Edo election.

Mr Thank God Awodi and Solomon Oboro who led the defectors from the two wards back to PDP, said they are back to their original party.

 "We were PDP members from day one and we left for APC. We have tested APC and APC is a failed party.

"We cannot be a tenant in our house that is why we decided to come back to PDP," they said.

The PDP ward 1 chairman, Shadow Okongo while addressing the crowd said the defectors were the people disturbing the ward and are back to PDP.

"Since they left PDP to APC they have been disturbing us at ward 1, but now that they are back to PDP I can assure you victory for PDP at ward 1," he said.

Also the PDP leader ward 1, Abiodun Johnson said the defection would boost the chances of the party and its governorship candidate, Dr Asue Ighodalo and his running mate, Osarodion Ogie, in the September 21 governorship election.

Johnson while welcoming the decampess promised them equal opportunity.

"We assure you that all rights and privileges will be extended to you and I want all of you to join hands with other party faithful to deliver PDP at ward 1 and the entire local government," Johnson said.

Prominent PDP members at the event were Abeni Azeez, Chief of Staff to the Deputy Governor, Omobayo Godwin, Chairman of the council, Tajudeen Alade, and other PDP leaders in the council area.