Delta State’s All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant for the 2015 general elections, Sir Fidelis Tilije, has dumped the party for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He declared for PDP in Obiaruko, Ukwani Local Government Area of the state.

Tilije was received into the party by the state deputy governor, Prof. Amos Utuama, SAN, on behalf of the state PDP Chairman, Chief Edwin Uzor, and leader of the party, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.

Utuama urge Tilije to translate his defection to PDP into more victory for the party. He said it is very difficult and uncomfortable to succeed when in opposition. Utuama, who is the chairman of the state Campaign Contact Committee, had in his company, the state PDP governorship flag bearer, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa.

According to Utuama, “Today, from what you told me when I visited you with my contact committee, you have demonstrated that you are a man of integrity. Today, you have joined the mainstream, and that is PDP. Let this bold step you have taken today translate all the vote in Ukwani Local Government Area, in Anioma Senatorial District to victory for our President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, and our governorship candidate, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, and PDP in general.”

While commending Tilije for his bold step, Prof. Utuama urge him to reach out to his followers across the state in order for them to follow his footsteps in joining the PDP, adding that PDP has remained the winning team since 1999.

Okowa, while addressing Tilije and the people of Ukwani, noted that Tilije’s joining of the PDP is one of the waves of change in favour of PDP that will be notice across the country. He said time has come to unite the state for peace to reign.

“It is time to unite the state, it is time to unite the people in Delta State. And there is nothing better than unity, because when you are united, there is peace and in that unity there is fairness, justice and equity. It is only when this exists that you can truly develop the people and develop the state and that is what we represent in PDP,” Dr. Okowa stated.

He further said: “Today your declaring publicly to join us in the PDP is a mark of honour, but most importantly it is a show of integrity in you. For that which you said at the beginning, today, you have made it to be. I, therefore, call on you to reach out to your followers across the state so that they will join hands with us to do that which is right for our state.”

Okowa assured that if elected, he would develop the youths in such a way that they will gainfully employ themselves or be employed.

On his part, Tilije said: “One of the driving forces behind my crossing to PDP is that, I can no longer watch somebody who claimed to be born to rule to encourage the stoning of a sitting President when he is campaigning. To be progressive does not mean you should seat down somewhere at Jigawa and begin to stone my president. Today I hereby change my face from the opposition and alternative government to the true house of government in Delta State which is the PDP.”

The state deputy governor on behalf of the party directed the chairman of PDP, Ukwani local government, to formerly introduced Sir Tilije to his ward chairman for proper registration into party.

•Photo shows Deputy Governor of Delta State, Prof. Amos Utuama, SAN, (left) and Delta State APC governorship candidate, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa (right) raising the hands of former APC governorship aspirant, Sir Fidelis Tilije, who recently dumped the party for the PDP in Obiaruku, Ukwani LGA.

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