Godwin Obaseki, APC governorship candidate at a rally

Jethro Ibileke/Benin

Ahead of the September 10 gubernatorial election in Edo state, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the state, suffered yet another deadly blow on Monday when the Chairman of the party in ward 11, Etsako West local government area of the state, Chief Sunday Edehor, dumped the party for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Explaining why he quit the PDP, Edehor, said he decided to join the APC because he does not want to be stoned by his people for exhibiting ingratitude following what the people of the area have benefited from the APC-led government.

Edehor who is from the same ward with Hon. Philip Shaibu, the running mate to the APC governorship candidate, Godwin Obaseki, said: “I have been in PDP since its formative stage in 1998 and today I had to decamp to APC. This is the first time somebody from Jattu will be a Deputy Governor, it has never happened since I was born.

“I am glad that Philip Shuaibu our son is going to be Deputy Governor and I know Obaseki will win. The truth is that I found out that some of us have been deceiving ourselves in PDP for a long time. Come to think of it, this is the first time Etsako man will be governor in the person of Oshiomhole and now the same APC is giving us Deputy governor so how do you expect us to remain in PDP. ‎

“It is not possible. We have been managing over the years abusing Oshiomhole despite the fact that he is our son but we are in PDP, but it has come to a stage when we decided to think about what is good for our people. PDP since 1999 never gave Edo North governorship not to think of giving to Etsako. One leader is always moving it to wherever he feels while our people suffer here.

“Just take a drive around Etsako area you, you will see the roads, schools Oshiomhole has built for us, so don’t you think our people will stone some of us if we continue to remain in PDP? I don’t want to risk my life because they will say I am an enemy of progress. People will ask me, what else I am looking for in PDP, God gave us a governor in the person of Oshiomhole and now APC gave Etsako Deputy Governorship ticket in the person of Philip Shaibu.

‎”So I will be a mad man to remain in PDP. And let me tell you, there is no more PDP in the entire three Local Governments in Etsako. It will not make sense to remain at all, because both the people and God will even punish us so that is why we decided to leave for APC. It makes more sense for us to join APC so that the developmental projects Oshiomhole has started in Etsako land will continue.

“People are supposed to play politics for good life, development and not selfish interest. I will be considered a selfish man if I remain in PDP, besides not as if I am benefiting anything there, is just that I have been there since with Chief Anenih and few others. Today in Etsako I am proud that we have seen development and I want that development to continue when Shuaibu becomes Deputy Governor,” he said.

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The author, Jethro Ibileke, can be reached at [email protected]