By DADA AYOKHAI
A former member of the House of Representatives for Esan West/Igbuen/Esan Central Federal Constituency, Hon. Joe Edionwele, has declared the All Progressives Congress, APC, the “official party in Esanland.”
Edionwele made the declaration in Irrua during a rally where he, former Senator Clifford Ordia, and others formally defected to the APC. The carnival-like event drew party leaders from across the state, including Governor Monday Okpebholo.
“We are here to celebrate that, as of today, APC is the official party in Esanland,” Edionwele said. “The governor has shown performance that even the blind can see. That’s why we are here to join a performing governor. We are not here to compete with anybody, but to complement his performance. Don’t be afraid of your seat — we are not here to take over.”
He added: “From today, all ward and LGA chairmen should open their doors, because APC will be receiving members from the PDP daily. We don’t have time to waste because this is our time. The purpose of the Esan agenda is development, and our governor is developing the state.”
Also speaking, an elated Senator Ordia told the crowd: “Today, we have come with all sense of humility to join our brother in the struggle to ensure Edo State gets the required development. This is a clear call to all Esan people and our brothers in the North and South of Edo State that the time has come to support what is good.”
Former women leader, Mrs. Philomena Ihenyen, described the day as historic. “Today is very historical because we Esan people who were in opposition have realized that if we send two sons to contest and one wins, should we not join the one that won? Especially with the work the governor is doing,” she said.
“Any Esan man or woman today who does not join Senator Monday Okpebholo to move Edo forward is against progress. As you can see from the cap I’m wearing, it is ‘Edo Women For Okpebholo.’ We have Esan Women for Okpebholo, and we have Edo Women for Asiwaju. We will apply to register that movement because it will drive our ideas in Edo State.”
Edionwele, Ordia Defect to APC, Declare Party ‘Official’ in Esanland
