No fewer than fifteen thousand members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The defectors, led by the Leader of PDP, Ebonyi South Zone, Henry Ude (Ajim-best), former PDP Chairman of Ohaozara LGA, Ogbonnaya Eneh Odii, former Deputy Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Hon. Jerry Obasi, Sampson Osi Onu, and others, stated that they made the decision due to the significant achievements of the State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, and their brother, Minister for Works, David Umahi.
Ude made this announcement at Court Area, Ohaozara Council area, during the APC Senatorial campaign on Thursday.
Upon receiving the defectors, the State Chairman of the APC, Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha, urged them to feel free to contribute their knowledge to the development of the State. He emphasized that there is no segregation in APC and urged the new members to remain steadfast and committed to making Ebonyi State one of the best in the country.
Governor Francis Nwifuru, present at the campaign ground, commended the stakeholders of Ohaozara Council area for mobilizing their people to support APC, despite threats and violence against APC members in the council.
Nwifuru promised to apprehend all those behind the killing of the youth and urged the youths not to allow their lives to be cut short by enemies, assuring them of his total support.
He vowed never to allow anyone to take people’s lives again in the name of politics, saying, “All those who partake in the act will never survive it in Jesus’ Name, Amen.” Nwifuru addressed the youths, stating that this is their time, challenging them to show resilience, especially against those deserting as enemies.
Meanwhile, the council chairman, Chinomso Ajah, assured Governor Nwifuru that his council would give 98 percent of votes to their party candidate, Prof. Anthony Ani, in the Saturday by-election.
Other stakeholders who spoke during the campaign rally, including the Commissioner for Information Communications and Technology (ICT), Hon. Uzor Tochukwu Okorie, urged the Labour Party candidate, Hon. Linus Abba Okorie, to accept the will of the people and step down for the APC candidate, Prof. Anthony Ani, for the sake of the remaining respect attached to his name, or face disgrace at the poll. “We believe in equity; we believe in the equal distribution of powers,” he said.
