Immediate past Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, Tuesday, finally made his long awaited defection from the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Obi, who had maintained a healthy and very cordial relationship with the PDP-led federal government while in office and even after his tenure elapsed some few months ago, finally bowed to pressure from PDP leaders and caucus leaders from the South East zone, who stormed his private residence at the GRA area of Onitsha, to woo him into their fold, as a full-fledged member of the ruling party.
The motion to woo the former governor into the PDP fold yesterday, which was moved by a former National Chairman of PDP, Chief Okwesilieze Nwodo and was seconded by the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu, was suggested by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator Pius Anyim.
Moving the motion, Nwodo declared: “we are here to request you to join us in PDP and work with us as an insider no more an outsider. PDP was founded by our own man, Dr. Alex Ekwueme and we started winning 80 percent in the Southeast zone until such a time when we drew backwards but we believe that with you in our midst, we shall return to our winning spree. I now move a motion requesting you to here and now give us your word”.
Seconding the motion, Wogu declared: “we are here to ask Obi, the heart of APGA, to join us. We have already captured Imo state and with him, we will get the soul of Anambra and leave the carcass for other parties. I am therefore seconding the motion”.
Before the issue of motion was raised, the National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Olisa Metuh who represented the National Chairman of the party, Adamu Mu’azu, told the gathering that both President Goodluck Jonathan and the party leaders are interested in having the former governor join the ranks of PDP, adding that since Obi is supporting Jonathan from time immemorial, there is need to join the party to actualize the dream.
Chairman of PDP Governor’s Forum, Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State and Chairman of South East Governors’ Forum, Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State, both took time to explain the need for Obi to join the PDP.
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha; Special Adviser on Inter-Party Affairs, Senator Ben Obi and PDP national woman leader, Kema Chikwe, all took turns to ask Obi to join PDP, adding that on two or three occasions now, PDP had lost election in Anambra to Peter Obi as a person and not APGA as a party.
Responding, the man of the moment thanked them for their request and noted that he has accepted their motion, adding that he would now work with them as an insider and with his whole heart in the areas of returning Jonathan for re-election in 2015.
Obi stressed that his decision to join PDP had nothing to do with what was happening in his former party, APGA, but because of the need to be a competitor and not a spectator in national affairs.
“I have in the past worked closely with all of you and you know my belief about our zone working together. I assure you that we will continue to work even closer as a team in the interest of our people”, Obi said.
