The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Friday, received 171 decampees from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo North Senatorial District of the state.
Obaseki, represented by his deputy, Rt. Hon. Comr. Philip Shaibu, while receiving the decampees, said it was sad that some political party leaders were contesting elective positions rather than grooming and mentoring the new generation of leaders.
He said, “Leaders don't contest elections but today it appears to be a different ball game. When there is trouble facing the party, who will settle it? There are no more leaders in Edo North because leaders are now contesting for political positions.”
Noting that the people of the senatorial district have lost respect for Adams Oshiomhole who is supposedly a leader in the region, he queried, “What happened to the Ministry of Education during his time? Why was the place burnt down when the tribunal demanded for his primary school certificate? We have a lot to say but we will wait for the campaigns to start.
"He brought one man one vote to Edo and also asked us to eliminate the issue of godfatherism in the state but surprisingly he assumed the position of godfather in Edo State.”
Obaseki continued: “I am happy to be reunited with my brothers and sisters who now see the light and have come to join us. We know the quality of decampees that are here and believe that together we can change the change and give our people a better representation.
"2023 will be a different political year for Nigerians as nobody can rig our vote any longer. We are wiser now; they did it before but can't do it again as we fought against them during the last gubernatorial election in Edo State.
"What Oshiomhole did to Obaseki is what he has done to Sen. Francis Alimikhena in Edo North but God that fought for Obaseki will fight for you. He did not only disqualify you but wants to use himself to replace you. With Alimikhena, we move forward but with Oshiomhole we move backward.”
A representative of the decampees, Chief Lucky James, noted: “We have here leaders from Etsako West, East, Central, Owan West, and Akoko-Edo local government areas. We represent 64 wards of Edo North.
“We are coming from a place full of lies, bad leadership, anti-party activities, and discrimination, among others but today we have joined the PDP to move Edo State forward.”
Receiving the decampees, Edo PDP chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, said, "This is the beginning of the fall of APC in Edo North and with you joining the PDP, the party will get more votes to return our senator, Francis Alemikhena to the red chamber