Following the defection of Ebonyi State Governor, Engr. David Nweze Umahi to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, more than 10, 000 faithful of the opposition People’s Democratic Party, PDP in Amaigbo Ward, Afikpo South Local Government Area, (Edda) have officially dumped the Party for the APC in solidarity and support of the decision of the State’s Chief Executive.
Spearheaded by a Technical Assistant to the Governor on Education, Chima Udu Nwagu who also doubles as the Personal Secretary to the State’s Commissioner for Education, the event which witnessed a massive turn-out of youths, women groups and the elderly including members of the KanBeDone- a political movement of the Executive Chairman of the Local Government Area, Hon. Eni Uduma Chima held at Nwagu’s Canaan home, Amaigbo-Edda amidst pomp and funfare.
The decampees were cheerfully received by a former Ward Secretary of APC in the area, Robert Okorie, a former Local government Executive of the APC from Amaigbo ward alongside another APC Chieftain, Okoro Emegha Okoro among others who all hail from Amaigbo ward.
They expressed joy and optimism that the mass exodus of the then PDP members into the progressives fold occasioned by the negligence, atrocities and underdevelopment of the ward by the member representing Afikpo South East constituency, Hon Chidi Ejem, has come to an end.
Speaking at the defection rally, the representative of the Afikpo South Council boss and Director General of the KanBeDone political group, Comrade Amah Marshal said the decision of Governor Umahi to defect to the ruling APC was a very wise one as he observed that Ebonyi truly needed to be connected to the centre.
While pledging loyalty and total support to the Governor’s decampment, Comrade Amah also praised the wisdom, courage and developmental strides of the Chairman of the Council, Hon. Eni who he said has become a wonderful protégé replicating the excellent achievements of the Governor at the Local Government level.
“It is a result of this that the Governor has developed more than 100% confidence in our Chairman. We are not making our movement (defection) with any form of doubts of our destination but with total assurance”, Amah informed the mammoth gathering. He said it is humans and personalities that people must focus on in times of politics and elections and not political Parties. “What is very important and paramount is that we are in charge of Edda politics. And no one can change this fact!”, he added.
Also speaking, a former PDP Chairman of the LGA and a three-time Technical Assistant to the Governor, Simon Onuoha expressed joy and optimism over their defection and vowed that they would put their eyes on the ball to ensure the community gets whatever is due to them.
He bemoaned that the PDP has indeed disappointed the people of the South East region by the way it has treated its people despite giving him their best, positing that it is for this reason that every Ebonyian and indeed, the entire Igbo nation should fight for their political destiny by supporting the moves of Governor Umahi.
Highlights of the occasion featured the dance performances and declaration of total support to the Governor and the Chairman by faithful followers and lovers of democracy from the six villages that make up Amaigbo ward, namely; Amaigbo, Amaoba, Ekeje, ndiba, Ndiofiba, Amancho and other neighbouring Wards.
