A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Delta State, Chief Fidelis Tilije, on Monday decamped to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party.
Tilije became aggrieved after he was shortchanged during the governorship primary election of the party in the state.
He cried foul and staged a walkout during the exercise.
The party’s flag was given to Chief O’tega Emerhor for the governorship election.
Before Tilije made good his threat of seeking redress in court, he was wooed over by the PDP’s flag-bearer, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.
At a solidarity visit paid on him at his country home in Obiaruku, Ukwuani Local Government Area of the state on Monday, Tilije, who decried the lack of internal democracy in APC, succumbed to join PDP to welcome President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign train to the state on Wednesday.
While he was categorical that APC lacks the vigour to sustain the wind of change it has been blowing across the country, he said lawlessness has ravaged its rank and file.
He recalled how the party shortchanged him during the primary election by manipulating the exercise in favour of a preferred aspirant.
Flanked by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s deputy, Prof. Amos Utuama (SAN), and the state chairman of PDP, Chief Edwin Uzor, Senator Okowa, who lauded the doggedness of Tilije, further appreciated him for his frankness.
He assured him of a large space in the PDP and his administration, as he teamed up the ruling party to win the February 14 and 28 presidential and governorship elections and move the state and the country at large to the next level of development.
A PDP chieftain, who pleaded anonymity, told The Eagle Online that Tilije will formally declare for the PDP during the presidential rally.
The PDP chieftain said: “Yes, all is set to receive him (Tilije) the day after tomorrow.
“Mr. President will personally receive him into the party.
“He is an industrious son of Delta State, hence we will not allow him to continue to stray into the hands of retrogressive elements.”