No fewer than N10,000 members of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC and Labour Party in Imo State have defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Also, other stalwarts from the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Young Progressive Party (YPP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Action Alliance (AA) also left their respective parties to join PDP in the state.
The defectohttps://editor.theguardiannig.wpengine.com/?p=2229363&preview=truers who were received at the party’s secretariat in Owerri weekend by the chairman, Chief Charles Ugwuh, unanimously endorsed the candidacy of Senator Samuel Anyanwu for the forthcoming November 11th governorship poll in the state.
Ugwuh lauded the defectors for their decision to join the party and urged them to work hard towards the party’s victory.
He also assured them of equal rights and privileges with other members of the party, without any discrimination.
Also, addressing the entrants to the party, Anyanwu, popularly known as Samdaddy assured that his administration once elected would conduct LGA elections within six months of assumption of office.
He also pledged to rebuild the education and health sectors as well as tackle the dilapidated infrastructure in the State.
Earlier, Prince Marshall Okafor-Anyanwu who led the SDP members to PDP said, “we decided to join PDP because among other contenders, Samdaddy is the most credible and qualified for the seat.”
According to Okafor-Anyanwu, who is the immediate past Imo State Chairman of SDP, “Samdaddy represents the best choice on account of equity, his experience and competence in governance.”
He said that their defection into the PDP has signaled the end of SDP in the State.
“We have 7,335 executive members. When you add other members, our number should be over 150,000. So this is the perpetual death and burial of SDP in Imo State.” he said.
Also, former YPP State Chairman, Chief Victor Diala who spoke on behalf of his group stated that their decision to defect to PDP was informed by their desire for a better Imo State.
He said, “Samdaddy and his running-mate, Jones Onyereri have proven to have the confidence of the masses, having been elected into various positions of trust in the past.”
While Hon. Charles Okuchie led members of APGA, Hon Alvan Opara, a former State Publicity Secretary of Labour Party led the party’s members to PDP.
The APC and AA members were led by the party’s former State executive members, Hon Iwuamadi Chika and Augustine Echebiri respectively.
Highlights of the event were the ceremonial destruction and burning of party cards and flags by the former YPP, SDP, LP, APGA and AA members and the raising of the PDP flag.
