Professor Osunbor: joins APC

Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Tuesday became the latest casualty to the gale of defections hitting the party across the country, with the defection of a former Governor of the State, Prof. Oserhiemen Osunbor and a former Director, Army Legal Services, Brig-Gen. Idada Ikponmwen, to the All Progressives Congress on Tuesday.

While Prof. Osunbor was being received into the APC fold with hundreds of his followers at Iruekpen by Governor Adams Oshiomhole, the former Provost Marshal of the Nigerian Army and chieftain of the PDP, Brig-Gen. Ikponmwen was also defecting from the PDP to the APC in Benin.

Ikponmwen told journalists that his defection was to enable him support the course of genuine democracy as well as work for the progress of the country.

He said he was prepared to work for the unity of the country and the evolution of credible level of security and welfare for Nigerians, adding that he was glad that Nigerians voted for Buhari whom he said has the courage and antecedent to do what is presently desirable in the country.

The retired army general therefore urged the people of the state to vote for all candidates of the APC in Saturday’s House of Assembly election and the yet to be concluded National Assembly election.

“I have left the PDP and I am joining the APC. We want to move forward. I am exceedingly happy about Nigerians voting for Buhari. A man of impeccable character, a man who is detribalized, has no tolerance for corruption and who has been maligned.

“Democracy has had its way. We need to join forces with Buhari who will take Nigeria to the next higher level. I believe that Buhari has all the courage, antecedent to do what is desirable at this point in time. It was right to project Buhari.

“I want to urge Edo people to vote enmasse for those people who will lend support to Buhari. Vote for APC candidates in the unconcluded senatorial and the House of Assembly elections. We must do this so that we will not be in opposition and be working in the right current,” he said.

At the weekend, a former governorship candidate of the PDP, Maj. General Charles Arhiavbere (rtd)also abandoned the PDP for APC.