In Delta State, two former APC stalwarts with supporters of the Deputy Senate President,Ovie Omo-Agege have joined the People's Democratic Party, PDP.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State received the decampees at a mega rally in Asaba, the Delta State capital on Saturday, January 22.
The decampees including the Delta APC's former Chairman, Cyril Ogodo, supporters of Deputy Senate president Ovie Omo-Agege and others.
Ogodo defected to the PDP alongside the immediate past publicity secretary of the APC, Sylvester Imonina, the Delta Central leader and elders council of APC led by Chief Sylvester Kowho, Ovie Omo-Agege Solidarity Movement, among others.
Speaking at the rally, Governor Okowa assured the supporters of PDP that there would be free and fair primary to decide the party governorship flag bearer in the state.
He cautioned all those aspiring for various positions to control themselves and their followers.
"We are family, we cannot fight. There will be a free and fair primary and so there will be no room for fight.
“Let us work together to ensure that PDP remains on top. Today, I welcome our brothers who have joined PDP and I assure you that we are all one.
“This rally has made a statement that PDP is prepared and united for 2023 elections and we will continue to work with love as one family unlike other parties where they fight,” he said.
In his remarks, the chairman of the PDP in Delta state, Kingsley Esiso, said that the essence of the rally was to reduce the position of APC in the state by 90 per cent.
He said: "APC is a failed party, it brought us hardship and negative change which has made Nigeria to become the capital of poverty in the world.
“PDP is Delta and Delta is PDP and we will continue to harvest APC members in the state and we have leaders of APC that have decided to join PDP today."
Meanwhile, the senator representing Delta South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator James Manager, has officially joined the 2023 governorship race in Delta state.
Manager, an Ijaw by tribe became a senator, in 2003 and has spent all of 18 years as a federal lawmaker so far.
The 61-year politician started his political career in 1991 as the chairman of Bomadi local government council. He was then appointed the honourable commissioner for social development in Delta state from 1992 to 1993. -Punch.
