By Simeon OSAJIE
The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) suffered a major political calamity in Edo Central Senatorial District as Senator Clifford Ordia, Hon. Joe Edionwele and Mrs. Philomena Ihenyen and their supporters dumped the party for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The mammoth crowd of politicians from other parties, including the Labour Party (LPa), who decamped at the Eguare Public field, Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area were received by APC leaders in the state led by the Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo.
According to Senator Ordia, “It is time for all Esan sons and daughters to support their own.
“Your Excellency, our amiable Governor of Edo State, Today, we have come with all sense of humility to join our brother in the struggle of making sure that Edo State has the required development. This is a clear call for all Esan people and all our brothers in the North and the South of Edo State that the time has come for us to support what is good.”
In his words, “Is the government not working? What are we supposed to do? We are going to join him and we have joined him. God will bless all of you in Jesus’ name – Amen.
A former member of the 8th and 9th Assembly representing Okpebholo Federal Constituency, Hon. Joe Edionwele described the APC as the official party in Esan land today.
“We are here to celebrate APC as the official party in Esan land. The governor has shown every other person and you can see the performance. Even when you are blind, you should see it.
“That is why we are here to join the performing governor. We are not here to compete with anybody, but we are here to compliment the performing governor’s performance. So don’t be afraid of your seat. We are not here to take over any body seat,” he added.
According to him, all the chairmen from Edo Central should open their doors, because APC will be swimming in from today henceforth. We don’t have time to worry because this is our time.
He said that the purpose of the Esan agenda is development, and the governor is developing the state, adding that, “We are happy with him. We are with him, come rain or sun.”
Also, a former Political Adviser, Educationist and business woman, Mrs. Philomena Ihenyen noted that, “Today is very historical. Very historical because we the Ishan that were in opposition have realised that if we send two sons to go and contest and one win while the other lost, should we not join the one that won?
“We are very happy with the good work the governor is doing and any Esan man or woman today that does not join Senator Monday Okpebholo to carry Edo forward, na witch he or she be. No be so?
“Especially as he is doing his work. And today, like I told my leader, you can see the cap I’m wearing. It is Edo Women For Okpebholo.
“We have Esan women for Okpebholo, and we have Edo women for Asiwaju. We are going to personally apply to the government to register that movement because it is the movement that will drive us, and drive our ideas into Edo State,” she disclosed.