A former member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Charles Idahosa, on Monday defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying he regretted supporting Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki four years ago.
Idahosa said his greatest regret is not stopping Governor Godwin Obaseki from resigning in 2020 after he was frustrated out of the APC in his bid to seek reelection on the party’s platform.
He announced his defection to the APC at his residence in Benin City. Edo State APC secretary, Lawrence Okah, Former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Dr. Pius Odubu, Mr. Washington Osifo and Member representing Orhiomwon/Uhunmwonde Federal Constituency, Billy Osawaru, and others witnessed his defection.
The former Information Commissioner in Edo State said in 2020, the governor had cried to him over the ill-treatment meted out to him by his predecessor and National chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, and was considering resigning.
Idahosa noted that Obaseki was on the verge of giving up to allow the APC to pick another governorship candidate, but he (Idahosa) encouraged him to keep hope alive and he fought the battle for the governor to win his reelection.
He, however, lamented that Obaseki utterances during the inauguration of the PDP Campaign Council for the 2024 election was heartless and uncomplimentary when he accused the defectors from PDP as having received huge sums of money before their defection.
The former PDP BoT member said he dumped the PDP because of what he described as the “damning deeds of the Obaseki-led administration in the last four years.”
While urging the Edo APC leadership to work in synergy ahead of the governorship election, Idahosa said that the greatest misfortune to befall the APC is for Obaseki to install a successor.
Idahosa who pledged his support for the Governorship candidate of the APC, Senator Monday Okphebholo, said that street survival instinct not doctoral degrees (PhD) or big grammar is needed as a criteria for the next governor that will succeed Obaseki.
He said, “Four years later, we are all wiser. I am back to the APC, which is my family. It is homecoming for me and I am very comfortable. At 71 , I am not going to be a threat to anybody. I am joing the APC to work. Nobody should be afraid or scared that Charles Idahosa is joining the APC because I won’t be contesting any position.”
Idahosa said his support for Obaseki was regretted and vowed to give his all to ensure the APC wins the governorship election in Uhunmwonde Local Government Council which is his local government and Edo South Senatorial District, where he is a leader.
Earlier, the APC state secretary, Lawrence Okah while receiving Idahosa into the party, said Idahosa is a man of honour and a foundation member of the APC.
