The Peoples Democratic Party’s former governorship candidate, Gideon Ikhine, who left the APC to join the PDP in 2020 and step down for Governor Godwin Obaseki, and Arch Mike Onolememen, the Minister of Works under President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, were both welcomed by the APC on Monday.
The APC leader in the zone, General Cecil Esekhaigbe (rtd), welcomed the two heavyweights and their supporters to Uromi, the headquarters of Esan North East Local Government Area. He stated that their membership in the party was a sign that the APC would win the 2024 governorship election and that the senatorial district would produce the next governor.
Receiving the two heavyweights and their supporters in Uromi, headquarters of Esan North East Local Government Area, the APC leader in the zone, General Cecil Esekhaigbe (rtd) said their presence in the party was a precursor to victory for the APC in the 2024 governorship election, adding that the senatorial district would produce the next governor.
He said: “These are great personalities, they are well known in Nigeria and political circles so what this has shown is that the APC is the party to join. Their presence is very significant because as we prepare for 2024, it is clear that Esan will produce the next governor. So for this calibre of people to have joined us, you can see that with them the push is on and we will get there by the grace of God.”
On his part, Ikhine said he joined the party to ensure that APC takes over the government.
He stated: “This is to let the people understand that come 2024, the APC will occupy Government House in Osadebe Avenue. There is peace in APC, and there is no wrangling, I had been in the PDP, and it was a wonderful party but today it is no longer so.
Boulevard. When I was in the PDP, it was a fantastic party, but that is no longer the case. The APC is peaceful and free of disputes.
Speaking, Onolememen noted that the APC is currently in power and that they must adapt to the political realities of the nation.
He stated that the state’s head of the party, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, and Senate President Godwill Akpabio, both from the South-South, needed to be supported since they were bringing progress to Edo State by organizing the state’s legislators in the National Assembly.
“We have come into an unusual time and that was why we started talking to each other that things are no longer the way they used to be. What that means is that it was about time for us to move out and look for a better place for our people.
“Whether you like it or not national politics has changed, and there is no point deceiving oneself. We know there is a new era and we need to align with the ruling party, the APC. If we want progress in this senatorial district we need to re-order our steps. That is why I have met with my people several times and told them to get ready, it is time we move en masse to the APC”, he stated.
However, the PDP in Edo State seems to be on a path of irreconcilability as the polarisation of the party into Legacy Group and New PDP remains.
