Kas Nwogu
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State, Chief Allwell Onyesoh, has concluded plans to defect to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Onyesoh, a former commissioner under the Peter Odili administration, also served as Chairman of the Rivers State Senior Secondary Schools Board (RSSSSB) under the Rotimi Chibuike administration.
He was a member of Senator Magnus Abe’s camp of the Rivers APC and a senatorial aspirant for Rivers East Senatorial District in the 2019 general election.
The party, however, did not field candidates due to a lengthy legal battle that led to its disqualification.
In a meeting at his Port Harcourt residence, on Monday, Onyesoh thanked stakeholders for their unalloyed loyalty over the years.
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He further expressed his gratitude to the Governor of Rivers State, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike for his magnanimity to Etche nation in the area of appointments and infrastructural developments.
On the timeline, he said he has concluded plans to join the PDP any moment before the party’s Congresses, adding that PDP is the only party that has the field where politicians can play politics and as a politician, he wants to go to that field (PDP).
Onyesoh, however, urged his supporters to go back to their various wards and galvanize support for the defection plans which will be unveiled in the coming days.
Speaking to our correspondent, Hon. City Nwanyawu lauded the decision of Chief Onyesoh to move back to PDP and promised to work for the progress of his political empire.
Also, a former House of Assembly aspirant in the 2019 elections under the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Emma Nwaobilor stated that the decision to move to PDP is a welcome development, saying he believes it will be in the best interest of the Etche nation.
Meanwhile, there are reported cracks withing the PDP as party members alleged imposition of candidates for the upcoming congresses of the party by Governor Nyesom Wike.
Party members who spoke to theportcitynews in confidence said the governor wants his loyalists to emerge as the state leaders of the party.
The party had extended deadline for sale of forms for its various congresses by one week.
PDP in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan said that the deadline had been extended from Feb. 22 to Feb. 29.
“By this, the party extends the last day for the sale of forms from the earlier announced date of Saturday, Feb. 22, to a new date of Saturday, Feb. 29.
“All leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members of our great party at all levels should be guided accordingly,” Ologbondiyan is quoted by the News Agency of Nigeria