Two former council chairmen, Peoples Democratic Party ward leaders and Labour Party leaders in Oredo, Egor and Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Areas in Edo South Senatorial District, were among thousands of PDP supporters that decamped to the Action Congress of Nigeria today in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
Speaking on behalf of those who decamped, Hon Ehi Egharevba, a former chairman, Egor Local Government Area, said that their motivation to join the ACN was the inspirational developmental strides of the governor.
Egharevba said: “It takes the drive from within to prove what you stand for. Every day as I drive through Sapele Road, Ring road, Siluko, Akpakpava, I see that our ancient city is in the process of transformation. It is with great pleasure that I have come to add my quota to the good works of the governor.”
On his part, Mr. Abella Idele Iyen, PDP chairman Ward 10, Oredo said: “ACN is a moving train and Comrade is the driver. My followers and I have entered and we are going to contribute our wealth of experience to the ACN.”
For Prince Bernard Aghama, former chairman, Labour Party, Egor, Local Government Area: “Our governor has not disappointed us at all. We have come to align with the governor because of his good works. What is happening today in Edo State is a great thing. Anybody that cannot support good things is an enemy.”
Receiving the defectors, Oshiomhole welcomed them to the ACN family.
According to the governor: “Old habits die hard and the godfather is oiling his machinery to rig the next election. But I want to assure you that we are not only on ground, but we are firmly on ground.
“When they say they will spend N3 billion to buy votes, print electronic results from China or South Africa, that they will sew fake NYSC uniforms, our people should collect their money but their votes would not be sold.”
He noted that PDP said the Supreme Court judgment is a setback for democracy, adding for them any judgment that affects the riggers is a setback.
He advised the PDP: “The way of the future is to key into one man, one vote. In Edo, one man one vote has been deeply entrenched.”