Over 3,000 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other registered political parties has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Olamaboro local government area of Kogi state.
Leading the defectors, who thronged the Arena in Okpo, Olamaboro local council headquarters, was a former legislator and chairman of the council, Mr. Gabriel Olofu.
He said the decision of the defectors was a demonstration of their gratitude to the administration of Governor Yahaya Bello for the “unparalleled development” and the accelerated infrastructure and human capital advancement the area.
Olofu, who served as council chairman and member, Kogi House of Assembly under the PDP platform said the entire Okpo, Ogugu and Imane districts that made up the council had decided to stand by their son, Chief Edward Onoja, Chief of Staff to Governor Yahaya Bello.
Political activities in Kogi state was over the week moved to Okpo, headquarters of Olamaboro local government area, where eminent politicians from All Progressive Congress (APC) gathered to receive 3, 000 members and leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP) and others who dumped their parties for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He promised to canvass more support for the party to give it an overwhelming victory in the next election, stressing that they would not rest on their oars until victory was achieved.
Earlier, the member representing the area in the state House of Assembly, Mr. Linus Ojochenemi Enenche, welcomed the new defectors, and commended their courage for the decision.
He promised that the party would treat them as equals, stressing that politics thrived on interests.
The Chief of Staff to Governor Yahaya Bello, Chief Edward Onoja, said the state had been in the doldrums for 13 of the 26 years of its creation due to the misrule of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He said some major roads in the area had suffered great neglect and dilapidation even when the governors who ruled the State after Prince Abubakar Audu were all from the senatorial District.
“Today, we are seeing tremendous change in every sector including the infrastructure across the state. Idah-Anyigba road, Okpo-Ogwugwu-Imane road, Ankpa-Abejukolo road and host of others are under construction and rehabilitations,” he said.
The defectors were received by the Deputy Governor, Chief Simon Achuba, at the occasion graced by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs. Folashade Ayoade Arike and the APC Zonal Leader, Alhaji Linco Ibrahim Ocheje, among many others.
