By Newsmata
In an apparent survival strategy, two of the 18 suspended local government council Chairmen in Edo State have jumped ship, defecting from the embattled Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to stave off their likely impeachment.
The duo who defected on Friday are Dickson Ahonsi of Owan West Local Government Council, and Edosa Enowoghomenma of Ovia South West local government council.
While Ahonsi defected with five Councillors, Enowoghonenma left the PDP with eight councillors.
Newsmata recalls that a whirlwind of impeachment sweeping through Edo local government councils has already blown away five chairmen and their deputies.
Ahonsi, who was at the APC Secretariat in Benin, and was received by members of the state Executive of the party, said his decision to join the APC was influenced by the steps taken so far by Governor Monday Okpebholo to develop the state.
Speaking after being presented the APC’s symbolic broom, along with the five Councillors, Ahonsi said he would ensure that his other colleagues joined the APC to support Okpebholo’s administration.
He said, “I intend to join the APC today because of what the governor is doing . Firstly, his activities on assumption of office in making important appointments unlike the previous government. Soon the list of commissioners will be released and it is a welcome development.
“The projects that he has embarked upon shows clearly that Edo is in safe hands and that is why I’m here to join the party”.
Edo State Secretary of the APC, Lawrence Okah, while receiving the suspended chairman and councillors into the party said the doors of the party were open to receive more defectors.
“We have long been expecting you to join us. APC now has five Councillors and more will come. Use the the broom to mobilise other people to join the party”.
On his part, Enowoghomenma, who defected to the APC with eight elected councilors including the Leader of the House, Nosakhare Edobor, was received by the Ovia South West chairman of the party, Emmanuel Ogbomo who assured them that they would not regret joining the ruling party in the state.
Ogbomo said, “There is nothing new about what you are doing today. I was in the PDP for 20 years before I left and now I am the LGA chairman of the party which means that in the APC, everybody is treated equally and you will not regret your action. We will join to protect you and your office.”
Speaking earlier before he was presented with the paraphernalia of the party, Enowoghomenma said they decided to join the APC to support Governor Monday Okpebholo and their son, the deputy governor, Dennis Idahosa, to develop the state.
He said “We have thought it wise to pitch tent with the APC in Ovia South West LGA, to work harmoniously with our governor, Distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo, the governor of Edo State and our very own, our son. We call him Ovia Proper, Mr Project, Rt. Hon Dennis Idahosa. Hon Dennis is not a stranger to all of us; we know him and he is a blessing to Ovia South West.
“As the council chairman, it will do our people, Ovia South West no good if we would not work in tandem with the deputy governor and the governor of Edo State, hence we all agree to come and join him in the APC today and further put our house together to develop our local government.”
Edobor, the Leader of the House, said they were not under duress but took the decision in the interest of the local government area.
“I am happy with my other colleagues of the Ovia South West legislative arm to join forces and ensure that there is development in Ovia South West. The reason why we are in politics is to ensure that Ovia South West is taken to an enviable height.
“So, we are here today, we are not under duress; we are here to join the ruling party in the state to bring about the renewed hope to our people. The essence of being in politics is to bring development.”