Former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi Tuesday, October 7, 2014 decamped from the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA and defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
His defection followed a motion moved by PDP leaders caucus leaders from the South East zone who stunned his private residence at the GRA area of Onitsha, yesterday to woo him into their fold, as a full fledged member of PDP.
The motion which was moved by a former National Chairman of PDP, Chief Okwesilieze Nwodo and was seconded by the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Yesom Wike, was suggested by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.
Moving the motion, Nwodo declared: “we are here to request you to join us in PDP and work with us as an insider no more an outsider. PDP was founded by our own man, Dr. Alex Ekwueme and we started winning 80 percent in the Southeast zone until such a time when we drew backwards but we believe that with you in our midst, we shall return to our winning spree. I now move a motion requesting you to here and now give us your word”.
Seconding the motion, Wike declared: ” we are here to ask Obi, the heart of APGA to join us. We have already captured Imo state and with him, we will get the soul of Anambra and leave the carcass for other parties. I am therefore seconding the motion”.
Before the issue of motion was raised, the National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Olisa Metuh who represented the National Chairman of the party, Adamu Mu’azu told the gathering that both President Goodluck Jonathan and the party leaders are interested in having Obi in their midst, adding that since Obi is supporting Jonathan from time immemorial, there is need to join the PDP to actualize the dream.
Chairman of PDP Governor’s Forum, Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State and Chairman of South East Governors’ Forum, Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State took time to explain the need for Obi to join the bandwagon.
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha; Senator Ben Ndy Obi, presidential adviser and PDP woman leader, Kema Chikwe all took their turn to ask Obi to join PDP, adding that on two or three occasions now, PDP had lost election in Anambra to Peter Obi as a person and not APGA as a party.
Responding, Obi thanked them for their their request and noted that he has accepted their motion, adding that he would now work with them as an insider and with his whole heart in the areas of returning Jonathan for the second term in 2015.
Meanwhile, a member of APGA board of trustees, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka has bade him farewell from the party, adding that any body has the right to defect to any party of his or her choice.
Reacting in a telephone chat with newsmen, Ezeonwuka noted that what is important is that his defection would not destabilize APGA as a party or Igbo as a nations.
