Edo State APC defectors face uphill task

Political uncertainty awaits those who defected from    the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the rival Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as their looming larger than life carriage in their former party was reportedly curtailed in the PDP, a major defector lamented recently.
The now PDP chieftain, who did not want to be named, said: “Those of us who defected were asked to queue up and relinquish or dissolve our hierarchy in our former party to the leadership of our new party.

 In addition, the source said: “Those of us seeking elective offices may not be as such lucky because of those we met in the party. We may have committed grievous political suicide because, our fear for leaving APC may not be achieved in the PDP; if they continue to treat us the way we are being treated.” According to him, their leader, a pastor may not achieve his political ambition of becoming a governor in the PDP, the indications are clear. He would be shut out of the race, but he had better chances in the APC before he left. He was also asked to stop calling for meetings and that if any, he must clear from the state secretariat.

“Don’t forget that a lot of heavyweights are lined up in the PDP before the pastor came in. I have advised him to consider Labour Party or go back to APC if he must remain relevant or achieve his ambition politically,” said the source. He said: “The same goes for those seeking to contest for the Edo South senatorial seat. The Publicity Secretary, Matthew Urhoghide would sure emerge the party’s choice and that forecloses the chances of other persons. The same scenario is playing out in Edo North and threatening the chances of Mr Momoh.

“The truth of the matter is that we complained of being shut out in the party congresses under APC and as such, we defected.”Not too long, we are faced with the devil and the deep blue sea.”
I don’t think it’s a point of no return or remedy. We are consulting and watching, it’s not going to be easy but we will tell them that they can’t use us and dump us since they now see us as threats with suspicions.

“Today, our House of Assembly members who decamped are not happy except if they pretend they are. The signs are ominous; you are voted for four years and along the line, crisis erupts and your seat is threatened or even declared vacant. Don’t forget that what we are enjoying, which may not endure is the backing and support from Abuja. In the real sense of it, our people know the truth but that in this game of politics, the end justifies the means and not the process of achieving the result.”

(Culled from Daily Sun Newspaper)