Unease in Edo PDP as Imansuagbon rejoins APC
THIS is not the best of time for Edo Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as one of its financiers and governorship hopeful, Kenneth Imansuagbon dumped the party for the fledging All Progressives Congress (APC) where he hoped he would realise his governorship ambition. He has been nursing the ambition since 2007.
A chieftain of the PDP confided in The Guardian yesterday that Imansuagbon leaving the PDP might pave way for more leaders to leave as he said he (Imansuagbon) commands some level of respect and following in the party. It would be recalled that six years ago, Imansuagbon, who is popularly known as the Rice Man because of his annual rice sharing ritual to the poor in the state, left the then Action Congress (AC) which later became Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), one of the legacy parties of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over what he termed then as irreconcilable differences.
He contested in the governorship primaries of the PDP ahead of the2012 governorship election in Edo state, which he alleged was skewed by the leadership of the party in favour of Charles Airhiavbere who has also defected to the APC. It was like a carnival in his ward in Ewohinmi, Esan South East local government council where he was formally received by the leader of the party in the area and brother to the late first lady of Edo state, Mr. Victor Eboigbe and the Chairman of the APC in the council, Chris Aghughu. Eboigbe stated that Imasuagbon had joined the party earlier but that the occasion was just to celebrate him and expressed joy that his coming would add value to the APC in Edo Central and the state as a whole.
“I was surprised that Imasuagbon left the house he built for others to inhabit. But we thank God that he is back to the house he built. He joined even before the elections and he worked for the party. So we call on elders of Ewohinmi to pray for him so that he will not lose track again.” Shortly after he ward ceremony, the party leaders proceeded to the council headquarters Ubiaja, where Imasuagbon was received by about eight members of the State House of Assembly including the Speaker, Victor Edoror.
Expressing gratitude gratitude to elders and people of Ewohimi for the warm reception they gave to him Imansuagbon appealed to the people of Esan to continue to support the administration of Governor Oshiomhole. “I joined APC since January this year but we have not had the opportunity to celebrate it due to the elections. But thank God we are celebrating today.
I wish to reassure the people of my ward, local government area and Edo State in general that your sacrifices would not be in vain. I promise to continue to sacrifice my time, energy and resources as I have done over the years in adding value to the lives of Edo people. “I am indeed proud of our Edo ancestry and the laudable works being done by our governor, Oshiomhole.
He is our leader and mentor and we will continue to celebrate him for all he is doing for our people. My advice to Edo people is that we should remain steadfast in our belief in the creation of an egalitarian Edo State and that by so doing we will achieve the Edo State of our dream by the grace of God and good governance.”
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1 Comments
APC should watch this man careful because he joining the party not on the basis of principle but to get the governorship ticket. One can easily predict what would happens after he gets the ticket and win the election.
We will review and take appropriate action.