3,000 APC Members Defect to PDP in Rivers

·        GDI empowers 560 women back to farm

More than 3000 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Sunday defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, complaining of neglect and hardship in their former party.

The APC members made their defection during an empowerment programme organised by the national leadership of the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI) to empower 560 women from the 13 wards in the local government area back to the farm, while 280 students were also sponsored back to school.

The Publicity Secretary of the state chapter of PDP and Secretary of GDI, Samuel Nwanosike, who received the defectors, promised them of equal treatment with those who are already in the party, commended their courage for taking bold step to return to the ruling party in the state.

Nwanosike, who noted that over 3,400 APC members from the 13 wards in the LGA including non-indigenes decamped to PDP,disclosed that the defectors left the APC because of failed promises, neglect and hardship inflicted on the masses by the APC-led administration in the country.

He said the leadership of Governor Nyesom Wike, as the Governor of the state, has brought about hope for the poor people, development and peace, saying that the PDP will not renege in ensuring that Rivers people enjoys meaningful developmental projects and empowerment.

Nwanosike said: “What you saw here today is that the members of the APC decided to abandon their party to join us in their thousands is not a joke but a decision they have taken from their heart. This is because, when you rule a people for as much as 2 years without bringing a definite change in their lives, telling them stories every day and ruling them with iron fist, a day will come when God will liberate them and that day is now. They have decided to follow the light and that light is Governor Nyesom Wike. This is because, Governor Wike has managed the economy of Rivers State, he has managed the activities of our political party in such a way it has become an envy of all and everybody can see that a leader can manage himself very well and manage the activities around him with good result. Wike is a result-oriented person and we consider him a gift from God at this time of our life.

“Those that defected from the APC to PDP today are over 3400 from the 13 wards in Ikwerre LGA and that is aside the non-indigenes which are about 450 of them that also join them.

“The PDP is 100 per cent in charge in the Ikwerre LGA and in Rivers State. No amount of intimidation or harassment that will change the fact that PDP runs in the blood of the people of Rivers State. And with the kind of leader we have who has made us proud, Nigerians can see what 2019 will be, is a total victory for PDP. Therefore, I assures the decampees that they will be given equal treatment and will benefit from every opportunities in the party.”

One of the defectors, who led a team of over 300 defectors to the PDP, Robinson Solomon, said they took the step after seeing the developmental strides of Wike in the state and how PDP in the state has affected the lives of the common people in Ikwerre LGA.

He urged others who are still in APC to return to PDP and support the developmental vision of the current governor.

He said: “Seeing all the numerous infrastructural development projects and good leadership of our governor, Chief Nyesom Wike in the state, I and my team from the APC in Ikwerre Local Government Area decided to return back to PDP. I am calling on the remaining members of APC in my area to join PDP, because APC has really failed us both in the State and at national.”