The deputy to Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, Mr Tele Ikuru has dumped his All Progressives Congress, APC, for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, describing the APC as “A party of rebels, insurgents and anarchists, clothed in robes of pretence and deceit.”
Governor Amaehi, has, meanwhile, expressed shock at the resignation, even as he regretted what he described as the ‘dishonourable lies’ given by the deputy for making his exit from the party.
However, the President Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation welcomed the development and called on other leaders of the APC in Rivers State to emulate Ikuru, and totally agreeing with Ikuru’s description of APC as a party of deceit.
Ikuru, in a statement, said: “My dear people of Rivers State, I bring you honest and sincere greetings. Today (Sunday), I address you out of the fullness of my heart. Recall that in December 2013, out of extreme loyalty to my boss and friend, I joined the APC, along with other then disillusioned Rivers people.
“Ever since, as the true nature and motives of APC are unveiled, I have continued to twist and turn in extreme mental and emotional agony. The more I struggled to belong, the more the Rivers man in me rejects the APC.
“After carefully studying, interacting and analyzing the leadership of the party, I have come to the sad conclusion that the APC is a party of rebels, insurgents and anarchists, clothed in robes of pretence and deceit. APC is a party founded on deception and it thrives on unholy propaganda and falsehood.
“I, therefore, on behalf of my teaming supporters, and my humble self denounce the APC and we all jointly and severally resign our membership of the APC.
“My dear people of Rivers State, we of this generation will not in good conscience expect forgiveness and compassion from our forebears, posterity, and the spirit of our unborn generations if it is recorded in the annals of history that after 48 years of Rivers people supporting leaders from all other parts of this country with our votes and resources, we were the same that witch hunted and hounded down the very first ever president from this region, granted us by providence. I wash my hands off the treachery.
“In the light of the above, I wish to urge all my supporters, the good people of Rivers State to join hands with others to vote for President Jonathan and the transformation agenda that has brought so much relief and succor to the greatest number of Nigerians. I also urge all Rivers people to vote for Chief Nyesom Wike (PDP governorship candidate in the state), who has shown by his antecedents, track records and boundless capabilities that he will deliver good governance to the people of Rivers State.”
Governor Amaechi in a statement by his Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari said the action of his deputy had confirmed speculations in several quarters that he was a mole in the APC, adding that like every Nigerian, Ikuru was free to belong to any political party.
“Whilst the news remains unofficial at this time as the Deputy Governor is yet to notify the governor of this move, Governor Amaechi, however, wishes Engr Ikuru all the best in his future political endeavours.
“He, however, wishes to note that the reasons adduced by Engr Ikuru are shocking as Deputy Governor lkuru has consistently been the one driving political activities in his local government area of Andoni and has been the second in command driving politics and governance in Rivers state,” he said.
President Jonathan, speaking through his campaign spokesman, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, said in a statement, in Abuja that the PDP was happy to receive Ikuru back into its family.
He said: “We are glad to hear about the return of the deputy governor of Rivers State, Tele Ikuru, to the PDP family. This was a deeply courageous step and we welcome him with open arms.”
Rivers State Chairman of the APC, Dr Davies Ikanya, said that Ikuru’s exit from the party was inconsequential, dismissing allegations of power tussle between him and the deputy governor.
“His exist does not mean anything to our party. Everybody has one vote. He has only one vote. Watch out, now that he has left more PDP members will join the party from the area.”
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