The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearer in the July 14 Governorship election in Edo State, Charles Airhiavbere, has lost support of some of his supporters as the coordinator of his legal team – Kelvin Aigbe, along with other members decamped to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
Just as Aigbe was leaving Airhiavbere, another leader of the PDP and proprietor of Paragon Demonstration Group of Schools, Martins Osakwe also dumped the PDP for the ACN with hundreds of his supporters.
Mr. Osakwe who was the state returning officer for Mr Arhiavbere in the July election while speaking on behalf of the decampees said their action was borne out of their desire to join Oshiomhole in his developmental stride.
Osakwe, who described the PDP as a “party of deceivers”, said the only credible leader in the Peoples’ Democratic Party, Gen. Godwin Abbe, says he has quit politics, asking rhetorically, “what are we still doing in PDP. It is never too late to develop Edo State. We are here to serve. We have come to be loyal members of the Action Congress of Nigeria”
On his part, Kelvin Aigbe hailed Oshiomhole for doing in five years what the previous PDP-led government could not do in eight years of PDP.
“I want to thank you for all you are doing. You are doing well. The sky is your limit”, he said.
Governor Adams Oshiomhole while receiving the new members commended them for their courage to exit PDP, which he described as ‘sinking.’
According to the Governor, “ACN as a democratic party does not have one owner. It belongs to the members. In our membership there is no age. So it does not really matter to us when you joined, so long as you have joined.”
“I want to appreciate your level of sophistication for being in a different platform and yet appreciate what the other person is doing. On my part, I am strengthened to do more of what we have been doing” he added.
Mr Oshiomhole expressed gratitude to the people of Benin Kingdom for the way he has enjoyed their support, adding “I am absolutely committed that with all of us working together, this kingdom will not be the same again”.
