The ruling All Progressives Party (APC) in Edo State took a significant step towards its goal of dominating all 18 local government areas when Hon. Edosa Enowoghomenma, the Chairman of Ovia South West Local Government Area, defected to the APC on Friday, accompanied by eight elected councillors, including the Leader of the House, Hon. Nosakhare Edobor.
In a separate development, Hon. Dickson Ahonsi, the Chairman of Owan West Local Government Area, along with five elected councillors, also joined the APC, further escalating the ongoing tensions between the councils and Governor Monday Okpebholo.
Ahonsi stated that their decision to align with the APC was influenced by the steps Governor Okpebholo had taken to develop the state.
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The defectors were welcomed by the State Secretary of the party, Engr. Lawrence Okah, and other members of the state executive committee.
He said “Firstly, his activities on the assumption of office were impressive as he made important appointments, unlike the previous government. Soon the list of commissioners will be released and it is a welcome development.
“The projects that he has embarked upon show clearly that Edo is in safe hands and that is why I am here to join the party.”
While welcoming the suspended chairman and councillors into the party, Okah stated that the APC’s doors remain open to receive more defectors.
“We have long been expecting you to join us . APC now has five Councilors and more will come. Use the broom to mobilize other people to join the party”.
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Meanwhile, the defectors from Ovia South West were welcomed by the party chairman, Emmanuel Ogbomo, who assured them that they would not regret joining the ruling party in the state.
According to him, “There is nothing new about what you are doing today, I was in the PDP for 20 years before I left and now I am the LGA chairman of the party which means that in the APC everybody is treated equally and you will not regret your action, we will join to protect you and your office.”
Earlier, before being presented with the party’s paraphernalia, Enowoghomenma explained that they chose to join the APC in order to support Governor Monday Okpebholo and their son, Deputy Governor Hon. Dennis Idahosa, in developing the state.
He said “We have thought it wise to pitch tent with the APC in Ovia South West LGA, to work harmoniously with our governor, Distinguished Sen Monday Okpebholo, the governor of Edo State and our very own, our son, we call him Ovia Proper, Mr Project Rt. Hon Dennis Idahosa. Hon Dennis is not a stranger to all of us, we know him and he is a blessing to Ovia South West.
“As the council chairman, it will do our people, Ovia South West no good if we do not work in tandem with the deputy governor and the governor of Edo state hence we all agree to come and join him in the APC today and further put our house together to develop our local government.”
The Leader of the House, Hon. Edobor, stated that their decision was not made under duress, but was taken in the best interest of the local government area.
“I am happy with my other colleagues of the Ovia South West legislative arm to join forces and ensure that there is development in Ovia South West. The reason why we are in politics is to ensure that Ovia South West is taken to an enviable height so we are here today, we are not under duress, we are here to join the ruling party in the state to bring about the renewed hope to our people. The essence of being in politics is to bring development.”
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