By Raphael Okhiria
In a carnival-like road procession, the member representing Ikpoba-Okha constituency at the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA), Hon. Nicholas Asonsere, triumphantly embedded himself and hundreds of political supporters into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The crowded ceremony which took place on Thursday at the APC local government area secretariat located along Upper Sokponba road, Benin City, was attended by a cream of state government functionaries and party leaders from across the state.
Some of the prominent members of the APC who received Hon. Nicolas Asonsere into their fold includes the party’s local government chairman, Hon. Sunny Ogbewe, Hon. Osarobo Idahosa, Hon. EJ Agbonayinma, state commissioner for education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, Chief Ugbogbo and Hon. Itohan Osahon-Ogbeide.
Hon. Nicholas Asonsere, who was a prime member of the PDP, recently announced on the floor of the state house of assembly his decampment from the PDP to the APC.
Speaking at the political crossover ceremony, the local government party chairman, Hon. Sunny Ogbewe, a former elected local government chairman of Ikpoba-Okha council, wholeheartedly welcomed Hon. Asonsere, his partners and teeming supporters into the APC.
He urged the decampees to quickly integrate themselves into the party hierarchy, saying that right from the moment they joined the party, they automatically became full members who are entitled to the rights and privileges applicable to all members of the party.
Hon. Ogbewe who described the house of assembly member as a reliable and highly sought after politician in the locality, said he was 100 percent confident of the decampee’s total loyalty to the party.
“The APC as a leaders’ party is supreme and all members must respect and comply with the rules and regulations at all times. Those of you who have just joined the party should take note of that and be disciplined members of the party”, Hon. Ogbewe cautioned.
In his speech, Hon. Nicholas Asonsere, said he was very happy to move from the PDP to the APC with his political partners and followers, noting that his decision was aimed at uniting the political class in Ikpoba-Okha under one formidable platform.
He thanked the APC leaders and members for willingly accepting him and his followers into their fold, assuring that his coming into the party is a major boost to the APC.
“I have left my former party, the PDP to join you people in APC. My coming is for real and I have come with my leaders and supporters to stay. Our coming to the APC is a dead blow to the PDP. Ikpoba-Okha is now fully an APC local government.
“I wish to use this opportunity to call on the few remainants of the PDP to quickly come over to the APC where the light is shining brighter,” Hon. Asonsere posited.
Also speaking, a unionist and former state coordinator of ANNEWATT, the umbrella body in charge of Keke Napep and Motorcycles, Comrade Dr. Oregbe Omorodion, who also decamped from PDP to APC, said the APC is party to be.
Dr. Oregbe Omorodion, who was accompanied by a large number of the ANNEWATT members to the ceremony, said as a unionist it was unwise and unreasonable to be working against the government of the day.
“As such, I have returned back to my original base, the APC. I left the party because of the government that was in power at that time.
“But now that I’m back to my original political party, I will redouble my political strength by contributing my quota and unreserved loyalty and experience for the good and growth of the APC.
“I heartily appreciate the avowed commitment of the state governor, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo to develop Edo state and make it greater.
“I am very confident that he will not fail where his predecessors failed, and I am fully determined to bring all my supporters, friends and loyalists to join us in the APC”, Dr. Oregbe Omorodion stated.