Gov. Amaechi’s Deputy Defects to PDP

Mon, Mar 23, 2015
By publisher
5 MIN READ

Politics

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Few days to the general election, Tele Ikuru, deputy governor Rivers State defects to Peoples Democratic Party, an action that could affect the fortunes of All Progressives Congress in the state

THIS must have been the most unexpected sad news for the All Progressives Congress, APC, one week to the general elections. The defection of Tele Ikuru, deputy governor to Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, to Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, could be a game changer that might negatively affect the fortunes of APC governorship election in the State on April 11, as well as the presidential election next Saturday.

Ikuru resigned his position on Sunday, March 22, describing APC as a party of rebels, insurgents and anarchists. He said: “On behalf of my teaming supporters, and my humble self I denounce the APC and we all jointly and severally resign our membership of the APC. My dear People of Rivers State, I bring you honest and sincere greetings. Today, 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 All Progressives congress, APC, along with other then disillusioned Rivers People. Ever since the true nature and motives of APC are unveiled, I have continued to twist and turn in extreme mental and emotional agony.”

Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi
Amaechi

According to him, “The more I struggle to belong, the more the Rivers man in me rejects the APC. After carefully studying, interacting and analysing 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 pretense 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 this treachery.”

Nyesom Wike
Wike

In the light of the above, Ikuru, urged all his supporters, the good people of Rivers State to join hands with other well meaning Nigerians to massively vote for President Goodluck Jonathan and the transformation agenda that had brought so much relief and succour to the greatest number of Nigerians. “I also urge all Rivers People to vote for Chief Barr Nyesom Wike, who has shown by his antecedents, track records and boundless capabilities that he will deliver good governance to the People of Rivers State.“

Ikuru’s resignation appeared to have come as a surprise to Governor Amaechi who described his action as shocking.

Ibim Semenitari, commissioner for information, Rivers State, said the Governor had not received formal notice from his deputy but that he wished him the best in his political future.

However, he noted that the reasons adduced by 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.”

Goodluck Jonathan
Jonathan

“On a personal note, Governor Amaechi has accorded Engr Ikuru all the privileges and respect due the office of the Deputy Governor and has treated him with love as a friend and brother. Though the Governor had hoped that the numerous rumours of Engr Ikuru’s double-faced membership of the APC and open romance with the PDP were not true, he, however, appreciates the fact that every individual has a right to pursue his political dreams, as he deems most appropriate. It is, however, regrettable that Engr Ikuru has chosen the dishonourable path of bare faced lies and name calling rather than the more honourable path of simply retracing his steps to where he has always been,” ” The commissioner said.

Muhammadu Buhari
Buhari

Nonetheless, the APC in Andoni, home town of Ikuku, described his defection to PDP as a mere scratch on the surface of the towering popularity of APC in the State from the ward to the State. Esuku Esuku, a leader of the party in Andoni Local Government, told journalists in Port Harcourt, that Ikuru was an appendage of Uchewaju Secondus who has been a mole in the system all these years. Esuku said that the defection of was long expected since after he failed to secure the Governorship ticket on the platform of the APC. The APC in Andoni said that both Ikuru and his uncle Uchewaji Secondus have never returned to Andoni on election day as they remain in Port Harcourt to write results. This is the first time that election results will be determined by actual followership as the electorate will be expected to cast their votes using their permanent voters card, PVC, under the card reader system. Esuku believes that Ikuru’s defection is to save him from the embarrassment he will receive confronting his uncle Uchewaji Secondus on election day since their plan to secure the APC governorship ticket did not materialise.

The APC leader called on party faithful to ignore Ikuru and forge ahead to deliver General Mohammadu Buhari, APC’s presidential candidate, on Saturday, March 28 as well as Dakuku Adol Peterside on April 11.

— Mar. 30, 2015 @ 01:00 GMT

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