By Ehichioya Steve Odion
A former chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Engr. Gideon Ikhine who decamped from the party yesterday has stated that his problem with PDP started when Governor Godwin Obaseki made an attempt to dissolve the state executive members of the party to bring in his loyalists.
Ikhine made this disclosure today in Benin City while briefing journalists on why he left PDP for APC
He said having worked for All Progressives Congress, APC, in the last House of Assembly, National Assembly and Presidential elections and won all the elections for APC in his local government, therefore he no longer has the justification to remain in PDP because he does not like involving in any anti-paty activity.
He debunked the rumour making the round that he collected one million dollars from Governor Obaseki to step down for him in the 2020 Edo Governoship election, adding that after stepping down he donated his campaign office to Obaseki and suffered the loss of two cars during his campaign period. He also said that since Gov. Obaseki assumed office he only met him in May, 2023 to tell him the need to bring the two factions in PDP together and resolved the issue in order to work as one team in the next Edo governorship election.
He recounted how he has been spending his personal resources for the PDP since he entered the party 24 years ago even though he was yet to benefit in single way from the party.
He said another big problem that arose in PDP in Edo Central was the issue of Senatorial election that brought in Senator Clifford Ordia. He said Governor Obaseki sponsored Senator Ordia against the will of the PDP members in Edo Central, adding that Governor Obaseki's action distorted the political arrangement between Agbazilo and Okpebho.
Ikhine said his vision to remove Edo people from poverty is still very much in tact even as he moved to APC.
He alleged that Senator Matthew Urhoghide, Senator Ordia and Arch. Mike Onolemhemen brought Governor Obaseki just to stop his Governoship ambition in 2020, adding that he and Barr. Kenneth Imansuangbon were promised to be given the right of first refusal in 2024 governorship election.
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