Efe Stewart and Andrew Emwanta, the former Commissioners for Communication and Orientation for Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, were among the prominent members of the opposition Labour Party (LP) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who switched to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday in Benin.
The Pius Alile Coalition Initiative (PACI)-sponsored Edo APC political convention, “Edo 2024: A Must Win for APC,” was the venue of the carnival-style defection.
The APC’s National Women Leader, Dr. Mary Alile, the party’s Edo Chairman, Col. David Imuse (rtd. ), and numerous other APC leaders from across Nigeria received the defectors. Former National Chairman of the APC, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, was represented by former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Dr. Pius Odubu.
Professor Edoba Omoregie, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), and Dr. Samson Osagie, a former Minority Whip of the House of Representatives (2007–2015), both gave papers during the conference.
In his speech, Oshiomhole, the former governor of Edo State, stated that APC members were not divided into old and new categories. He also promised that on September 21, 2024, the party will deliver Obaseki’s replacement, who would take office on November 12 of the same year.
““The celebrated administration of Comrade Oshiomhole provided the party (APC) with a benchmark to be proud of,” stated Pius Alile, the President/Founder of PACI and a prominent member of the APC. The PDP government of Obaseki, which came up with the grand fantasy of Edo Best in education, has abandoned public school repair and maintenance since Comrade Oshiomhole’s departure with his “Red Roof Revolution.” Regretfully, the best Obaseki had to offer was the worst this state has ever seen.
“The state of Edo has extremely poor road conditions, especially in Benin City, the state capital. Disappointingly, the grandiose Benin Storm Water Project—an attempt by Comrade Oshiomhole to mitigate erosion in Benin City—has been shelved throughout the past seven years.
“Obaseki has signed numerous Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with alleged investors, but he has produced no evidence of his efforts. Residents of Edo are currently burdened by the broken promises made by Obaseki and the PDP-led administration. Help is desperately needed by the people. By winning the gubernatorial election and establishing meaningful administration, the APC must save them.
“APC needs to properly handle the gubernatorial primary election, and its leadership needs to be open and honest in how it interprets the established processes for the nomination and then follows them precisely. To generate a candidate who is incapable of motivating party members and winning over the electorate, the process must not be corrupted.
In addition, Alile praised Edo APC for the encouraging wave of defections that is sweeping through the other major parties.
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