No fewer than 350 members of the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Uwheru, Ughelli north local government area of Delta State, defected to the major opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2023 elections.
The decampees on Monday, November 7th 2022, joined the APC with a vow to deliver all their votes to the governorship candidate of the party.
They equally announced that they would vote for the Delta Central Senatorial Candidate of he party, Olorogun Ede Dafinone, House of Representative member for Ughelli/Udu Federal Constituency, Hon. Francis Ejiroghene Waive and the Ughelli North Constituency I House of Assembly candidate, Barr. Spencer.
The defectors during a chat with newsmen said, the APC government have done much for them in terms of effective representation by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.
They stated that even though the APC is not the ruling party in Delta State, yet, it had performed far better than the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which they alleged abandoned them after working hard to push them into victory.
The commended the efforts of one their own, Hon. Innocent Umukoro whom they described as a thorough grassroot politician who believes in dividends of democracy.
“He contested the House of Assembly elections, but he couldn’t make it, but he has not given up nor turn his face away from the party and his people.
“He has been canvassing seriously for the election of the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege as the governor of Delta State and Barr. Spencer as the House of Assembly member representing the people come 2023.
“Innocent Umukoro has on his own donated books and writing materials to pupils of Uwheru community in the primary schools and also donated monies to flood victims recently.
“So he is a great politician, and having studied him carefully, we in Egbo quarters Unit 12 and 27, have decided to tow his path because Uwheru community has benefitted massively from party in terms of infrastructures like solar streets lights, provision of new transformers and replacement of obsoletes ones through the representation of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.
All who spoke during the exercise disclosed that their decision resulted from their conviction in the development strive by the APC led federal government in the state.
Receiving the defected members, Mr. Innocent Umukoro, said he is happy and overwhelmed with the number of people that has accepted the APC, and called on them to vote the APC 5/5.
He noted that the APC has what it takes to change the narrative in the state, and that they are much ready to wrestle power from the ruling PDP, which he alleged, has impoverished the state in the years, adding that, though he could not make it at the primary elections, but believed strongly in the APC
He maintained that the likes of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Okakuro Ede Dafinone, Barr. Spencer and others are candidate that are far sellable compare to the oppositions candidate.
He, on behalf of the party welcomed the defected members and urged them to vote for the APC beginning from the presidency down to the councilors.
“We want you to believe in the APC, and appeal to you to give all your votes to APC as it will transform the lives of the citizens and create a better living environment for both indigenes and residents of the state”.
Those who defected promised their total loyalty and support to the APC and assured Hon. Umukoro of their preparedness to working together with the party leadership to ensure its success in the forthcoming general elections.
Innocent Umukoro who is a leader of the party in Uwheru community, promised to carry the new members along, while calling on them to use their wealth of experience in politics and business activities to ensure the party’s success at the forthcoming 2023 general elections.
