Mass defection of leaders and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers state has generated excitement within the fold of the state chapter of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Felix Obuah, state chairman of the PDP said the defection was a clear demonstration of their disappointment and frustration over the failure of the APC to provide a better leadership alternative.
The PDP Chairman, reacting to the latest of this development, where in Ubima community in Ikwerre Local Government Area, the home of the former governor, Rotimi Amaechi, hundreds of members of the APC, including their leaders and his close allies, dumped the party for the PDP, said “It is not a surprise that the APC suffered such fate as the party and its Abuja based leaders do not have the structure, grassroots support, as well as genuine commitment and purposeful programmes to cater for the needs of the people”.
Obuah, while welcoming the new members from the APC to the PDP, congratulated the bold step taken in spite of the intimidation and inducement by the former governor and other leaders of the APC.
He reiterated that the PDP umbrella was large enough to accommodate both regular and returning members of the party, assuring all of equal opportunity and treatment as a responsible and well-meaning party founded on equity, justice and fair play.
Obuah further explained that with the current trend of defections in the State, Mr. Amaechi, former Governor of Rivers State and Minister of Transportation, would be left with the carcass of the party, appealing to the remnants to make hay while the sun shines so as to be part of the various development programmes and initiatives of the Wike-led government in the State.
He advised Amaechi and his allies to stomach their pride and stop their undisguised plots against the PDP government in the State.
Obuah also urged the former governor and other APC leaders in the state to admit their failure and defeat and take steps toward joining the performing Governor Nyesom Wike in giving the people of the state a new lease of life.
PDP, he said, was willing to forgive and re-admit any genuinely repentant APC leader and members who are ready to help build a better Rivers State, assuring that in the coming days, more of the leftover APC members would join the PDP fold in the state.
