By Jennifer John
It is no longer news that over two thousand politicians from other political parties in Owerri zone, Monday, decamped to the All Progressives Congress (APC), but the question in the lips of Imolites and other Nigerians is, “Why did they abandon their former political parties to the APC?
Meanwhile, answers to these questions were provided by leaders and representatives of the decampees, including; the member representing Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency at the Federal House of Representatives under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, Hon. Bede Eke, his counterparts from Mbaitoli/Ikeduru and Owerri Federal Constituency, Hon. Henry Nwawuba of the PDP, and Hon. Ikenna Elezianya, respectively, former Sole Administrator of Okigwe LGA, Pastor Frank Onwumere, Chief Ikechukwu Okereke, from Aboh Mbaise, Deacon Paul Ajunwa (Ishiopi), who made speeches at the event.
In their separate speeches, the leaders said they have been impressed and positively overwhelmed by the giant strides of Governor Hope Uzodimma, hence their decision to decamp to the APC, to be part of the success stories.
They made it clear that with their decamping, the ranks of the opposition parties, especially the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), from where they decamped have been further depleted, as there are no politicians of substance left in the party in the zone.
They promised to galvanize their support base, as well as bring their wealth of experience to bear, towards making the victory of the governor in the November 11 governorship election a landslide, even as they expressed their willingness to work, calling on the governor to absorb them into the APC family and give them work to do.
According to Rt. Hon. Bede Eke, whose voice radiated with joy, gladness, and enthusiasm, did not decamp alone from PDP, making it clear that he has been a strong parliamentarian; Eight years in the state House of Assembly and eight years in the Federal House of Representatives.
He said he was joining with strong PDP members who he described as his leaders and leaders of note who will deliver results. He made it clear that Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency has collapsed to APC, even as his strong allies from other parts of Owerri zone and Imo State, in general,l have joined him in taking the bold step.
He listed some of the leaders including; Chief Emma Nwogu, Hon. Kizito Onuoha, and Chief Maurison Njoku.
“We did not join because we wanted to change our old party and join the new party. We joined APC because we have found out that it is a progressive party and Onwa Iyoko (the governor) is a progressive governor. We have seen capacity in him. Not just capacity, but triple capacity”.
He concluded his speech by joining his voice to the massive endorsement of the governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma for another four years tenure.
Meanwhile, the governor during his speech expressed his joy in welcoming the decampees (some who were joining the party for the first time, and some who were returning to the fold after their sojourn in other political parties) and promised them a level playing ground, as according to him, there is no old or new member of the party.
