By DADA AYOKHAI
The former chairman of Owan West local government area council, Hon. Daniel Asekhame has defected from the All Progressive Congress, APC to the ruling party in the state, Peoples Democratic party,PDP. .
The former council boss led his supporters and loyalists, including the APC members of Ward 9 Uzzeba and the Arewa APC supporters in the local government, to defect to the PDP.
The reception to welcome the defectors, led by Hon. Asekhame was held at the LGA secretariat in Sabongida Ora, and was well-attended. It was evident that the defection was a significant win for the ruling PDP as the gubernatorial election drew closer.
The Owan West PDP chairman, Engr. David Okoh-Aigbodion, was present to welcome the defectors into the party.
He expressed happiness on behalf of the PDP for receiving them into the fold and assured them that they would be treated with respect and as equals, rather than strangers.
Hon. Asekhame was the chairman of Owan West LGA between 2003 to 2007 under the PDP platform and later defected to the APC during the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole administration as Edo state governor.
His return to the PDP is a significant way and can be compared to coming back home.
During Governor Obaseki’s re-election bid in 2020, PDP defeated the APC and was the only local government the party won in Edo North district thereby breaking the APC jinx of being in control of the Senatorial district.
Similarly, during the 2023 state House of assembly election, the Owan West people renewed their hope in the PDP as they voted for the PDP candidate ,Hon Blessing Agbebaku who is presently the incumbent Speaker of the state assembly,
Political analysts predict that the arrival of Honorable Asekhame will further strengthen the PDP’s hold on Owan West and help establish an unbeatable alliance to secure more votes for the party in the upcoming gubernatorial election.
At the welcome party held to receive the defectors, Hon. Dickson Ahonsi, the Owan West council chairman, reiterated the electoral value of the defectors and how they can help the PDP to defeat its opponents during the September Guber election.
He also described Hon. Asekhame as a “man of great electoral value” and wished him a happy reunion with like-minded individuals.
The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Agbebaku expressed optimism about the PDP’s chances of retaining its hold on the Owan during the September gubernatorial election.
He welcomed the defectors back into the PDP fold with open hands and also urged party leaders to maintain the progress the party has made in the local government.
He said, “With the calibre and influence of the defectors, the PDP’s chances of victory have never been better than they are now.
Hon. Asekhame, the man of the moment, was allowed to respond to the numerous praises he received.
When he did, he spoke eloquently, expressing his belief that he was not returning to the PDP alone but with hundreds of loyalists and supporters who aimed to make a mark and assist the PDP in winning the scheduled September guber election.
He narrated how he warned his loyalists and supporters during the state assembly election not to do anything that would hinder or jeopardize the political interests of Rt. Hon. Agbebaku.
He also hinted that he was one of those who believed that the Asue/Ogie ticket was the best for Edo State, stating that the duo possessed the capacity and competence to build on the good works of the present administration.
