From Tony Osauzo and Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
Suspended Owan West Local Government Council Chairman, Dickson Ahonsi, his Vice, Mrs. Asije Victoria and five Councillors, yesterday, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying their choice was fueled by the charismatic leadership of the Edo State governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo.
The Councillors who defected along with the Chairman are Hon. Oni Anthony Johnbull (Chief Whip, Sabe Ward 2), Hon. Tunde Akele, Ward 2, Hon. Thomas Goodluck Oseigbe, ward 6, Majority Leader, Hon. Anthony Udia and Hon. Elijah Uhimai Ward 1, Deputy Majority Leader.
Addressing the leadership of the APC at the party’s secretariat in Benin on why he has chosen to join the party, Ahonsi said his decision was based on personal conviction of the governor’s style of leadership.
He said the governor took over the helm of affairs of the state and without wasting time, decided to hit the ground running with policies that will engender rapid development in the state.
Ahonsi said this is very different from the previous administration where it took a long time to put its cabinet together to run the state.
“I am happy to say that the man is active and he is going to be very active. For example, in a week in office, he made some important appointments unlike the previous administration, he will stay three months, six months without any appointments.
“He believes that one head cannot always be right and that when two heads are together, it will make sense. That is why he intend to make those appointments so quickly.
“From the grapevine, we are also aware that very shortly, the list of Commissioners will be out. It is a welcome development.
“We pray that he continues like this. Edo State will be an enviable state that everybody admires.
“With all these activities cum the projects that he has embarked on within this short period shows clearly that Edo State is going to be in a high level.
“On that note, I don’t need anybody to tell me what next I should do and that is why I am here to join the APC with my people”, Ahonsi said.
He said having critically understudyed the governor, he decided to take some of his Councillors along with him to support the governor to achieve his objectives in developing the state.
Receiving the decampees, the state secretary of the party, Lawrence Okah, said that APC as a party welcomes all of them to the fold, adding that everyone of them shares equal opportunity in the party.
Similarly, the suspended Chairman of Ovia South West Local Government Council, Hon. Edosa Enowoghomenma, yesterday, defected to the APC with eight elected Councilors including the Leader of the House, Hon. Nosakhare Edobor.
They were 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.
“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”,Ogbomo said.
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, Hon Dennis Idahosa to develop the state.
“We have thought it wise to pitch tent with the APC in Ovia South West LGA, to work harmoniously with our governor, Distinguished Sen 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”, the Council Chairman stated.
The Leader of the House, Hon. Edobor said they were not under duress but took the decision for 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”.