Kabiru Adjoto, former Edo Speaker dumps APC
Ahead of Friday’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary in Edo, an aspirant,Engr. Gideon Ikhine has stepped down, declaring support for the Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki.
Ikhine announced his decision to step down, yesterday, at a ceremony in Benin.
Ikhine, who declared his support for the governor at his campaign office in Benin City, noted that his decision was to allow the governor consolidate on his developmental strides in Edo State.
It was gathered that Obaseki, party Chairman, Tony Aziegbemi and other leaders from across the state, were in attendance.
According to him, “Ikhine said there was no progress without a sacrifice, Governor Godwin Obaseki is a prayer-answered for the PDP. We might have a common vision but the means of achieving them may be at variance but God has brought them to reality.”
Ikhine said he was “stepping behind the man who would lead the party to glory on September 19.”
Urging his supporters to support the re-election of the incumbent governor, Ikhine said: “We want to ask for your support and to ensure that everyone that has worked with us across the state redoubles their efforts in ensuring that the margin of victory between the PDP and the opposition is wider.”
Obaseki, in his response reassured that his administration will continue to prioritise the welfare and wellbeing of all Edo people, adding, “PDP is Edo and Edo is PDP. Together, we shall bring Edo to where God has destined it to be.”
The governor continued: “Governance has to be about the people, not about a few individuals. It has to be about translating the norm and the new value where we say white is white and black is black. We have to rebuild our great party; if PDP were not in the State, l may not have switched to PDP.
“Today is the beginning of a new dawn in our party. What we are doing is a merger. What one person was doing before, two persons will now be doing the same thing. The victory will be for us all.
“Therefore, everyone must have space in the party. We want to build a party that is fair and democratic, where every group in Edo State will see that there is something at the party. I want to build a party that is based on fairness, equity and justice.”
Former House of Assembly speaker, Kabiru Adjoto, has also resigned his APC membership.
Adjoto said he took the decision after consulting with his conscience, family, friends and his supporters.
He said resignation was also in line with Article 9.5(i) of the APC constitution.
Adjoto said the decision was nostalgically clothed with apparel of mixed feelings as it translated to leaving the party he had contributed to build for more than a decade.
He, however, said the necessity of his decision to resign was hinged on the interest of his supporters and Edo people in general, saying, “my resignation takes immediate effect.”