Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki’s two former Commissioners for Communication and Orientation, Efe Stewart and Andrew Emwanta, were among thousands of chieftains of the governing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the opposition Labour Party (LP) on Friday, October 27, in Benin defected to the main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

The carnival-like defection took place at Edo APC’s political conference, tagged: “Edo 2024: A Must Win for APC,” which was powered by the Pius Alile Coalition Initiative (PACI).

The defectors were received by a former National Chairman of APC, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who was represented by a former Deputy Governor of Edo state, Dr. Pius Odubu, while the conference was also attended by the National Women Leader of APC, Dr. Mary Alile; Edo Chairman of the party, Col. David Imuse (rtd.); and many other leaders of APC across Nigeria.

Papers were presented at the conference by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Prof. Edoba Omoregie, and a former Minority Whip of the House of Representatives (2007-2015), Dr. Samson Osagie.

Oshiomhole, an ex-governor of Edo state, in his speech, declared that there was no categorisation of members of APC as old or new while assuring that on September 21, 2024, the party (APC) would produce the successor of PDP’s Obaseki, and to be inaugurated on November 12 next year.

The President/Founder of PACI, Pius Alile, a chieftain of APC, said: “The celebrated administration of Comrade Oshiomhole provided the party (APC) a benchmark to be proud of. Since the exit of Comrade Oshiomhole, with his ‘Red Roof Revolution,’ public school renovation and maintenance have been abandoned by the PDP government of Obaseki, which came up with the grand delusion of Edo Best in education. Sadly, Obaseki’s best is the worst that we have had in this state.

“The roads in Edo State, particularly in Benin City, the state capital, are in very bad condition. It is disheartening to note that the ambitious Comrade Oshiomhole’s erosion control project for Benin City, named the Benin Storm Water Project, has been abandoned in the last seven years.

“Obaseki has signed countless MoUs (Memoranda of Understanding) with supposed investors, but there is nothing to show for it. Edo residents are presently under the yoke of broken promises from Obaseki and his PDP’s government. The people are in dire need of help. APC must come to their rescue by winning the governorship election and providing purposeful governance.

“APC must get the governorship primary election right, while the leadership must be transparent in the interpretation of the laid-down procedures for the nomination, and then, implementing to the letter. The process must not be compromised to produce a candidate who lacks the capacity and the aura to inspire members of the party and the support of the electorate,” he said.

Alile also hailed Edo APC on the wave of defections blowing its way from the other political parties, which he described as heartwarming. (The Nation)

• Godwin Obaseki’s two former Commissioners for Communication and Orientation, Efe Stewart and Andrew Emwanta

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