By Ehichioya Steve Odion
Former Edo State Governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peopes Democratic Party, PDP, who recently joined the All Progressives Congress, APC, Engr. Gideon Ikhine said his moving into the APC was not a defection, but a sweet marriage that will produce good fruits.
He made this disclosure during an exclusive interview with The Groove Watch News crew in Benin City.
"I don't like the word defection to APC. We had a collaboration with the party, a sweet marriage. From that collaboration, after we shook hands, I discovered that it was the best thing for me. We would have been a stranger there, but you will recall that most of the leaders in APC were in PDP. It was like my brothers who left for a very long time but are now welcoming me home. Saying to me,you can still work with us and let us do what we know how to do, better".
Engr. Ikhine further said that he worked for APC during the general elections, adding that he and his supporters are already in APC fold. According to him, " The value we are bringing in, is to strenthgten the party and the leadership of the party to ensure that democracy and the Rule of Law prevail".
He said he put a lot of money into the election that produced President Bola Asiwaju Tinubu, the Senator representing Edo Central, Monday Okpebholo and the House of Representatives member, representing Esan North East and Esan South East, Hon. Odi Okojie in Edo Central. Engr. Ikhine added that some leaders decided not to work with him, and therefore, went back to governor Obaseki for the reason best known to them. "I'm sure after the election, they realized that they were no longer popular among the people".
Engr Ikhine said since he left PDP, the party has not remained the same, as Governor Obaseki and other leaders of the PDP party are now running around trying to reconcile members which they refused to do before now. "It is too late. Most people in the PDP are just hanging on with their eyes looking to outside the window. In the next few days you will see how PDP members will be moving out in droves to the APC. Edo state will never be in opposition again. I'm not sure any member in APC would like to be in opposition to the Federal. I can assure you that we are working towards it and we will achieve it".
On the issue of zoning of the governorship position to Edo Central, Engr. Ikhine said the Esan agenda people are talking about, does not exist, rather, it is the entire Edo state that will say let us make an Esan man a Governor, adding,that it is out of collective will and respect that the people will say Edo South has done 16 years and Edo North has done 8 years, therefore, let us allow an Esan man to come in this time. He said Esan people will now seek support from the other two Senatorial Districts in order to have a shot at the Gubernatorial position.
"In politics you lobby for what you want. I believe the Edo South and Edo North will work in the direction of supporting Edo Central in 2024".
On whether he will run for the 2024 governorship election, Engr. Ikhine said if it is the will of the people that he should contest the Edo State next year's election, that he will offer himself to serve the people. "But presently I'm focused on building my present political party, the APC, to achieve accelerated growth and stability in the state.
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