What looks like a hurricane swept through Epkeri land at the weekend as over 1, 200 members of the People Democratic Party (PDP) defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Epkeri is a densely-populated riverine area of 10 communities in Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State.
The decampees made up of women, youths and erstwhile PDP leaders, tore the umbrella, the party’s symbol into shreds because, according to them, it could no longer provide the desired shelter. They waved the broom, symbol of the APC, to the admiration of the leaders present.
The event was held at the Udaba community square, saw
Leader of the decampees, Sheik Muktar Ilenobe said he was the last oxygen of the PDP in the council, adding that now that he has been disconnected, the party has breathed its last. The Islamic educationist cum legal practitioner said he would ensure the disconnection of what he described as “smaller oxygen” sustaining the PDP across the wards.
Another leader, Chief P.F Abebe, who is also the chairman of the community, said he was coming into the APC with his followers, adding that “now that I have come, nobody is left in the PDP. If you hear PDP again in Udaba, you know it’s fake, no more PDP here. My movement today signifies PDP’s end, this is a party without national, state or local government presence, so why should I continue to be there, I have to leave to give meaningful and genuine leadership to my people”.
A female decampee, Mrs. Felicia Elestso caused emotional stir when she said she joined the APC of her own volition without anyone prompting as her conscience kept pricking her whenever she travelled on the asphalt road built by the APC government, whenever she sees the community lighted, whenever she drinks water from government’s pipes. She said she cannot see light and continue to grope in darkness.
The decampees were received by the lawmaker representing Etsako Central in the House of Assembly, Damian Lawani and the zone two leader, Alhaji Waziri Oshiomha.
According to Lawani, “there was no government presence here (Udaba) until the coming of the APC. The APC government brought light and road that opened up our community.
“We can see, touch and feel the APC in Epkeri land. So, no one will see light and road and continue to wallow in ignorance. Without begging the issue, APC is the party to belong to”.
On his part, Sir Oshiomha assured the decampees that the APC is a party of justice and none of them will be discriminated against.
PDP suffers setback as over 1,200 dump party for APC in Edo
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