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Tag: Ize-Iyamu

  • Ize-Iyamu is PDP candidate

    Ize-Iyamu is PDP candidate

    Former Secretary to the Edo State Government Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has won the governorship primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State.

    He polled 584 votes to defeat his opponents; Matthew Iduoriyekemwen and Chief Solomon Edebiri.

    Matthew garnered 91 votes while Edebiri polled 38 votes.

    A total of 740 delegates participated in the exercise held at the Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, the state capital.

    Security was beefed around the stadium to prevent hoodlums from gaining access to the venue.

    Ize-Iyamu, said that he accepted his nomination with deep appreciation and great humility, adding that the September 10 election is the party’s chance to keep the aspiration and hope of the people alive.

    He said: ‘’To the national and state leaders of our great party, the PDP; and to all my fellow citizens of this great state; with deep appreciation and great humility, I accept your nomination for the Edo State governorship election’’, he stated in a press statement issued by the Media Unit of his campaign organisation.

    ‘’You have just approved the determination of our party to keep the aspiration and hope of the good people of Edo State alive and carry out the real change the people deserve.’’

    Ize-Iyamu also expressed his thanks to what he described as ‘’the extraordinary accounts’’ of his co-aspirants, who had visited the entire 18 local government areas in the past few months — soliciting for votes.

    He added: ‘’I am grateful to have finished this first bumpy but successful journey with some of the finest politicians of our time in Edo State.

    “A few days ago, I presented to you a manifesto of hope — the SIMPLE AGENDA, which offers measurable commitments that would be implemented with passion, single-mindedness, incisive competence and experience.

    “I told you the change that Edo people desire is not one based on sloganeering or deceit; that our people yearn for change that is real, life-enhancing, verifiable, purposeful, and sustainable.

    “That is why I stand here this evening — to tell you that we cannot continue in lamentation and suffering. Now is the time to change the unfortunate change. And the future they have always told us to wait for is not in another time; it is not in another election; it is now and this is what I represent.’’

    ‘’The APC members will tell you their candidate is the only person that can sustain the legacy of the out-going governor, having been the Head of Edo State Economic Team. But, we must be prepared to ask then critical questions. We should ask them to mention one industry he has attracted to our state in the last eight year.”

    ‘’Because we believe that any government that intends to bring real development and prosperity to its citizens must focus on comprehensive and sustainable development that encompasses several aspects including improvement of infrastructure, health, education, human resource development, job creation, industrialisation, agriculture, security and improvement of municipal services in the state.’’

    Pastor Ize-Iyamu said the eight years of the APC administration in Edo State had denied the best practice approach to sustainable development, saying rather, ‘’the state government has been obsessed with a single item, road maintenance while completely neglecting all other important areas of the development crying for attention.

    ‘’This evening, we say to the good Edo people, to PDP and APC across this great state: Enough is enough! The September 10 election — is our chance to keep our people hope alive.’’

    He added: ‘’In next few weeks, in Edo South, Edo North and Edo Central, the same party — APC that brought you two terms of Adams Oshiomhole’s corrupt and deceitful government will ask you for a third-term because according to them, they love the state or they want to improve on what Adams Oshiomhole has done in the last eight years. But on September 10, we must stand up and say: Eight is enough.

    ‘’The true of the matter is that our state under the APC has not fared well in nearly eight years. The records are there for us to examine: despite the receipt of colossal revenues that surpasses those of successive administrations, the state has the highest level of external debt of $168 million among the South-south states.

    ‘’Early this year — at a time the state was not known to owe salaries, the government collected about N3 billion bailout-funds from the Federal Government and squandered it. And we have just been told again that the same governor, some days ago, applied for another N13 billion bailout funds from the federal government, which will attract about 8 per cent interest rate to the state.’’

    Ize-Iyamu pledged not to betray the expectation of the people if PDP is elected, adding that the party would work diligently with fear of Almighty God and be guided by its ‘’manifesto of hope’’ and ensure its full implementation.

    ‘’Once again, we urge you all to trust us and vote for our party, PDP in the coming Edo State governorship election. May the good Lord bless you all, bless our dear state.’’

     

  • Ize-Iyamu, Iduoriyekemwen, Edebiri battle for PDP ticket

    Ize-Iyamu, Iduoriyekemwen, Edebiri battle for PDP ticket

    Compared to weekend’s governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), today’s contest among the three aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is believed to have been decided even before delegates formally cast their votes to produce a winner. OSAGIE OTABOR looks at the chances of the aspirants.

    Three aspirants are contesting for the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State in today’s governorship primary for the September 10 election. This is the first time the PDP will be going into an election in Edo State as an opposition party, both at the state and the federal level.

    The aspirants are a former Secretary to the Edo State Government, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Chief Solomon Edebiri and Matthew Iduoriyekemwen. The 576 delegates that would decide the fate of the aspirants were elected from the 192 wards across the state. They are to be joined by other statutory delegates whose figures are yet to be disclosed.

    All the aspirants are from the Edo South senatorial district, the zone where the governorship seat was zoned to in the PDP. Unlike the APC, the build up to the Edo PDP primary appeared rancour-free, with low apprehension: a situation which made many to believe the party delegates already know where the pendulum would swing.

    At different fora organised by a PDP group, the Unity League, the aspirants pledged to work together after the primary. At a seminar held last weekend in Benin City, the Edo State capital, a former Minister of National Planning, Prof Sulaiman Abubakar, said the survival of the PDP as a party depends on winning the Edo governorship election in September.

    Abubakar noted that putting Edo under the PDP family would open the path to true federalism in the Southsouth region, provide a platform to reclaim power in 2019, if the aspirants and supporters accept the outcome of today’s primary election and not cause disaffection in the party.

    In his address entitled, “Edo State Election: The last Hope of the deprived”, Abubakar said: “The Southsouth must as a matter of strategy be under the same political platform. This will be a challenge to the hegemony in the Northwest. We should not forget that you have been described as people who provided just five per cent of the presidential vote. So, as long as the APC remains in power, you should not expect anything significant.

    “The surest way to negotiate, bargain and diplomatically make a point is to be united, integrate and form a formidable front under the PDP. Such political formation is sharper, result-oriented and more consequential than a thousand avengers.”

    One notable personality that has been silent since the race to September 10 began is Chief Tony Anenih, a former Minister of Works and Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT). On a good day, a snap from him is capable of deciding who gets the PDP nomination. But, the story is different today. Though Anenih is yet to announce his retirement from partisan politics, he has been taking a back seat since the former ruling party was defeated in the last general elections.

    The aspirants are in for a stiff contest.

     

    Ize-Iyamu

    He has a bright chance of emerging victorious in today’s primary, because he has effectively taken control of the PDP at the grassroots. Top PDP chieftains across the state are in support of his candidacy. They believe Pastor Ize-Iyamu is the only person that has the political clout to lead a successful campaign against Governor Adams Oshiomhole. He was a founding member of the PDP and strongly opposed to the over-bearing influence of Chief Anenih on the administration of Chief Lucky Igbinedion. This made him to propagate the slogan: “No man is God.” He joined others to fight Anenih by forming the Grace Group. Ize-Iyamu returned to the PDP in 2014 with his supporters after he sensed that his ambition to succeed Oshiomhole under the APC would not succeed. He has however told critics that he should not be blamed for the failure of the Igbinedion administration, because, according to him, he was not in charge of contracts award and the final decision rests with the executive governor.

    He had said: “You will be surprised the way the ordinary man understands the matter. For them, Ize-Iyamu is a good man. He has not been a governor, let us give him a chance and know if he will do well.

    “If you sample opinion round the state, you will find out that form of attack will not work at all. People are very enlightened. They see me as somebody who is very experienced and courageous enough to bring the kind of changes they want in the state.”

     

    Edebiri

    This is the first time Edebiri would be contesting a party primary since he has been contesting for the governorship since 2007. He was the Progressive Peoples Party (PPP) governorship candidate in 2007. In 2012, he endeared himself to the people at a political debate when he contested under the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). After the merger that led to the formation of the APC, Edebiri joined the APC where he stayed briefly before he moved to the PDP in 2014, after the party’s congresses. Many said he is seen as an outsider in the PDP and that party leaders would not be able to control him. He might spring surprises if the thinking of his supporters that some leaders were in secret pact with him is anything to go by.

    Edebiri has promised to develop the agricultural potentials of the state to boost internally generated revenue (IGR) without over taxing the people. He has also promised to generate N12 billion annually from rice production.

    His words: “What is uppermost in my mind is that we must develop our agro potentials to tackle poverty and boost the economy in the face of the dwindling oil price. If we produce rice in this state and tax N1000 per bag, we will generate N12 billion in a year from rice production. This state will become a centre for food production. We will negotiate and get crude oil from the Federal Government. We will build modular refinery and produce petrol at N45 per litre. Enough is enough of electing people who get into office and treat people like slaves.

    “If you make an error of not electing a labour-conscious candidate, we are in for a mess. There will no welfare and there will be low-staff morale.  For workers not to be corrupt, we must look at all the issues.

    “The only way to create jobs is to set up industries. How many workers can say they have gone for a capacity-training programme? It is pathetic. I know we will manage a state where workers will be happy and the people will be happy.”

     

    Iduoriyekemwen

    He was the former Majority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly and a Commissioner in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Matthew lost the PDP primary in 2012 to Charles Airhiavbere. He is tagged as Mr. No stain and said his performances as NDDC commissioner would secure votes for him. Matthew said he should be rewarded for being a loyal party man and not those that moved from one party to another.

    All the aspirants have pledged to work for whoever emerges in today’s primary and the delegates are poised to vote according to the dictates of party chieftains. There is however a snag in the contest over the pending court ruling on who is the authentic National Chairman of the party. It was the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led leadership that screened the three aspirants.

  • Makarfi’s committee clears Ize-Iyamu, Edebiri and Iduoriyekemwen

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has screened and cleared three aspirants who bought its nomination and expression of interest form for the primary scheduled for September 20.

    Those cleared are Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Chief Solomon Edebiri and Matthew Iduoriyekemwen.

    They were screened by a committee sent to the state by the national headquarters, led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi.

    Senator Ali Modu Sheriff on Monday set up a screening committee on the Edo election and named Senator Hope Uzodimma as Chairman. But, it was ignored.

    Certificates of clearance are issued to the three aspirants after the screening.

    Members of the committee were a former Minister of Education, Prof. Tunde Adeniran (Chairman), Senator Joshua Lidanin (Secretary), Chief Abiye Sekibo, Ndubuisi Nwigwe and Hon Farouk Yahaya.

    Adeniran said the party would not be distracted by the action of those he said were sponsored to cause disaffection in the PDP.

    Adeniran said the screening was to enable the party elect a candidate that has unblemished records.

    He said that the three aspirants wee found worthy and met the stipulated conditions of the party to contest the primaries.

    The former Education Minister assured the aspirants of a level playing field since he party has learnt its lessons.

    He said: “The era of imposition is over. The era of impunity is over. We are entrenching internal democracy. We are determined to get back on track.”

    “We are not deterred. The members of the PDP know what is happening. Imposition cannot work. Self proclaim leaders have no place in the PDP. We want a candidate that can win election and is accepted by the people”.

    Edebiri said the screening was transparent adding that he would now go ahead to solicit votes from delegates for the primary scheduled for Monday.

  • Oshiomhole has not scored pass mark, says Ize-Iyamu

    Oshiomhole has not scored pass mark, says Ize-Iyamu

    Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu is a governorship aspirant in Edo State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The former Secretary to the Government spoke with Osagie Otabor on his ambition, his chances at the primary and other issues.

    How do you see the preparation for the PDP primay?

    The party leadership must be commended for the matured and neutral manner they have handled all the stages so far, thereby giving confidence to all the aspirants that there will be no imposition. I believe that the PDP is determined to deliver a free and fair primary that will be devoid of violence, rancour or bitterness. All the actions have demonstrated that. They went round the 18 local governments. All they emphasised was the need to be united as one family and not to malign ourselves. Whoever gets the ticket should be supported by other aspirants. We are working along that direction.

    What is your relationship with other aspirants?

    It is very cordial, although outsiders might think we are not on good terms. I must tell you that we relate very well. Some days ago, Hon. Matthew Iduoriyekemwen celebrated his 50th birthday. We were there to celebrate with him. It is a cordial relationship. Myself and Solomon Edebiri, we relate very well. He visits me and I visit him. We need to continue to manage our supporters who might think that the lose of their principal will be a tragedy. Because of that, they might go the extra mile to see how they can promote the candidates of their principal and thereby create problems. We are also talking to them to be careful in their language and their conduct so that they do not break the accord of unity we are currently enjoying.

    Some PDP members said they want a candidate that has no stain…

    Everybody has a right to say something. The only stain one can talk about is to say that the persons is not qualified. If the person is not qualified, then he would not be allowed to contest.  But, anybody who is able to contest must has been cleared by their parties. To that extent, he becomes clean enough to contest. All of us have what it takes to contest, unless the INEC thinks otherwise. At the end of the day, it will be the party members that will determine the contest. I believe that most of us have  impeccable record. I have been in the public office and active in the political scene. I believe that my records are clean. It is normal for allegations to be made.

    Why do you think the PDP will win?

    The PDP is very organised. They are working as a family and constructive in their role as an opposition political party. They have been at the fore front of crying out when government is not doing the right thing. To that extent, they have endeared themselves to the people. If you go to the PDP secretariat, sometimes, you see people coming there to report the activities and atrocities of the government. A lot of government documents the chairman brings out during his press briefings are brought by people voluntary. They believe that the PDP is a credible opposition. I think the poor performance of the comrade-governor, especially in the second term, made the PDP popular. If the government in power was doing very well, it would have been an uphill task for the opposition. The growing tendency now is that the votes must count. When people are disenchanted, it is difficult for the government to win. The incumbency factor becomes negative. One of the advantages that the PDP has is that there is mass discontent with the government. In the spirit of the change slogan, the forth coming election is an opportunity to vote out the APC.

    Won’t your role in the administration of Lucky Igbinedion be a set back?

    I don’t think so. That is blackmail. People are now enlightened. How can anybody be criticizing the secretary for the alleged non-performance of the government. Who can blame his own secretary for not performing his duty as a musician. Who will hold Professor Ihonvbere, Imuekheme or Pally Iriase responsible for the non performance of Adams Oshiomhole.  The Chief Executive is the Chief Executive. People served with him and the SSG is one among the people he appointed and whatever they tell him, he is not bound to take it. Which ministry does the secretary supervise? What did he steal? What are they accusing him of? All they can say is that the man has been in government before. Even, if the government didn’t do well, but, the man has experience now to provide a better government. Is it not a plus that the man went there and you cannot accuse him of anything? He was in the government and you say the government was corrupt. yet you cannot accuse him of any wrong doing. then, he was a very good person. You will be surprised at the ordinary man’s reasoning about the matter. For them, Ize-Iyamu is a good man. He has not been a governor, let us give him a chance and see if he will do well. If you sample opinion round the state, you will find out that form of attack will not work at all. People are very enlightened. They see me as somebody who is very experienced and courageous enough to bring the kind of changes they want in the state.

    You praised Oshiomhole to high heavens before? what went wrong?

    In his first term, he did very well. Schools were being commissioned almost on a daily basis. Caterpillars were everywhere. Roads were built. The hospital he is planning to commission now was started in his first term. Oshiomhole was in a hurry and a lot of things were being done. In the second term, government has gone to sleep. The second term is when you take a holistic view. He is supposed to develop the whole state. If in the first term, he did only a part and in the second term, you expect he did other areas and complete things he has not done. You cannot compare what happened in the first term to second. You also begin to look at other critical areas like housing, sports, agriculture and others. It is very difficult to give the government a pass mark even with all the money he has. That is why it is not proper to make comparisons between Oshiomhole and Lucky Igbinedion. You cannot expect me to keep quiet because I praised him in his first term. It will be wrong. He has not done well in his second term. Oshiomhole has to be careful about this election because his popularity rating has dropped for non-performance. Our prayer in Benin is this our evening should be better than our morning. Which means a man has to finish well.

    What will you do differently, if you become the governor?

    The need to diversify the economy. I am happy the Federal Government is doing something in that direction. we cannot continue to rely on allocation. Oil revenue has dropped. If we want to be able to meet basic responsibility, we need to be looking at other areas. Agriculture is one area. If our state is industrialised, we will get more money because the companies will pay tax. Tourism is one area that can bring revenue to Edo, but Calabar is now taking the position of being the tourism destination of the country. There are many areas which can earn revenue in Edo and I will explore them.

  • Oshiomhole has not scored pass mark, says Ize-Iyamu

    Oshiomhole has not scored pass mark, says Ize-Iyamu

    Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu is a governorship aspirant in Edo State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The former Secretary to the Government spoke with Osagie Otabor on his ambition, his chances at the primary and other issues.

    How do you see the preparation for the PDP primay?

    The party leadership must be commended for the very matured and neutral manner they have handled all the stages so far thereby giving confidence to all the aspirants that there will be no imposition. I believe that PDP is determined to deliver a free and fair primaries that will be devoid of violence, rancour or bitterness. All the actions so far have demonstrated that. They went round the 18 local governments and all the aspirants. All they emphasised was the need to be united as one family and not to malign ourselves. Whoever gets the ticket should be supported by other aspirants. We are working along that direction.

    What is your relationship with other aspirants?

    It is very cordial even though outsiders might think we are not on good terms. I must tell you that we relate very well. Some days ago, Hon Matthew Iduoriyekemwen celebrated his 50th birthday. We were there to celebrate with him. It is a cordial relationship. Myself and Solomon Edebiri, we relate very well. He visits me and I visit him. We need to continue to manage our supporters who might think that the lost of their principal will be a tragedy. Because of that they might go the extra mile to see how they can promote the candidates of their principal and thereby create problems. We are also talking to them to be careful in their language and their conduct so that they do not break the accord of unity we are currently enjoying.

    Some PDP members said they want a candidate that has no stain…

    Everybody has a right to say something. The only stain one can talk about is to say that the persons is not qualify. If the person is not qualified then he would not be allowed to contest but anybody who is able to contest certainly must has been cleared by their parties. To that extent, he becomes clean enough to contest. All of us have what it takes to contest unless INEC thinks otherwise. At the end of the day, it will be the party members that will determine who contest. I believe that most of us have  impeccable record. I have been in the public office and active in the political scene. I believe that my records are clean. It is normal for allegations to be made.

    Why do you think the PDP will win?

    The PDP is very organized. They are working as a family and constructive in their role as an opposition political party. They have been in the fore front of crying out when government is not doing the right thing. To that extent, they have endeared themselves to the people. If you go to the PDP secretariat, some times you see people coming there to report the activities and atrocities of the government. A lot of the government documents the chairman brings out during his press briefings are brought by people voluntary. They believe that PDP is a credible opposition. I think the poor performance of the comrade governor especially in the second term made the PDP popular. If the government in power was doing very well, it would have been an uphill task for the opposition. The growing tendency now is that the votes must count. When people are disenchanted, it is difficult for the government to win. The incumbency factor becomes negative. One of the advantages that the PDP has is that there is a mass discontent with the government. In the spirit of the change slogan, the forth coming election is an opportunity to vote out the APC.

    Won’t your role in the administration of Lucky Igbinedion be a set back?

    I don’t think so. That is blackmail. People are now enlightened. How can anybody be criticizing the secretary for the alleged non performance of the government. Who can blame his own secretary for not performing his duty as a musician. Who will hold Professor Ihonvbere, Imuekheme or Pally Iriase responsible for the non performance of Adams Oshiomhole.  The Chief Executive is the Chief Executive. People served with him and the SSG is one among the people he appointed and whatever they tell him, he is not bound to take it. Which ministry does the secretary supervise? What did he steal? What are they accusing him of? All they can say is that the man has been in government before. Even if the government didn’t do well but the man has experience now to provide a better government. Is it not a plus that the man went there and you cannot accuse him of anything. He was in the government and you say the government was corrupt yet you cannot accuse him of any wrong doing then he was a very good person. You will be surprised at the ordinary man reasoning about the matter. For them, Ize-Iyamu is a good man. He has not been a governor, let us give him a chance and see if he will do well. If you sample opinion round the state, you will find out that form of attack will not work at all. People are very enlightened. They see me as somebody who is very experienced and courageous enough to bring the kind of changes they want in the state.

    You praised Oshiomhole to high heavens before what went wrong?

    In his first term, he did very well. Schools were being commissioned almost on a daily basis. Caterpillars were everywhere. Roads were built. The hospital we are about was started in his first term. Oshiomhole was in a hurry and a lot of things were being done. But In the second term, government has gone to sleep. In the second term is when you take a holistic view. He is supposed to develop the whole state. If in the first term, he did only a part and in the second term, you expect he did other areas and complete things he has not done. You cannot compere what happened in the first term to second. You also begin to look at other critical areas like housing, sports, agriculture and others. It is very difficult to give the government a pass mark even with all the money he has. That is why it is not proper to make comparisons between Oshiomhole and Lucky Igbinedion. You cannot expect me to keep quiet because I praised him in his first term. It will be wrong. He has not done well in his second term. Oshiomhole has to be careful about this election because his popularity rating has dropped for non performance. Our prayer in Benin is this our evening should be better than our morning. Which means a man has to finish well.

    What will you do differently, if you become the governor?

    The need to diversify the economy. I am happy the Federal Government is doing something in that direction we cannot continue to rely on allocation. Oil revenue has dropped. If we want to be able to meet basic responsibility, we need to be looking at other areas. Agriculture is one area. If our state is industrialize, we will get more money because the companies will pay tax. Tourism is one area that can bring revenue to Edo but Calabar is now taking the position of being the tourism destination of the country. There are many areas which can earn revenue in Edo and I will explore them.

     

  • Oshiomhole promised me Edo governorship ticket – Ize-Iyamu

    Former Secretary to the Edo State Government, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, on Monday said Governor Adams Oshiomhole promised to support his (Ize-Iyamu) candidacy as the next governor of the state.

    Pastor Ize-Iyamu recently led some leaders of the All Progressive Congress to defect to the Peoples Domocratic Party over the conduct of the party ward congresses.

    The former SSG, who disclosed this in a local television interview, said the APC has become an “animal farm” in the state.

    Ize-Iyamu said he joined the PDP because of his belief that the party was the best vehicle through which he would reach his destination.

    He said there was a desperate move to dismantle his structures by the governor, adding that his problem with Oshiomhole was because he was the only person that dares to say the truth.

    “The governor himself publicly and privately has come to me to say Pastor I appreciate the support you have given to me. I know how competent you are. When the time comes I will support you to become the governor. If he denies it, it completely shows he is not a man of his words.

    “The issue is somebody has consistently promised me to become the governor but with the way Comrade has been going, by 2016, I don’t think there will be any APC for somebody to say he wants to run the ticket on.”

    “APC today has become an animal farm. Everything we condemned is now in place. The governor wanted the conduct the congress in an undemocratic way by asking me to take five wards and the deputy takes five wards. He was so petrified about Pastor Ize-Iyamu being in control that he wanted me to become a minority.”

    Oshiomhole in a veiled response to the allegation said it was the former SSG that insisted he should be unilaterally decreed as next governor of the state.

     

  • Supporters dump Ize-Iyamu

    Over 500 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, who left to join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have returned to the party.

    The returnees, who were loyalists of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, claimed to have been deceived into pitching tent with the PDP.

    They included local government chairmen and party leaders in some wards won by Ize-Iyamu.

    The returnees were at the state secretariat yesterday to pledge loyalty to the APC leadership.

    Otasowie Obakpolor from Ward One in Oredo Local Government said they were told to attend a harmonisation meeting only to hear that they were moving to the PDP.

     “We were surprised that the leaders deceived us to come for settlement meeting but on getting there, we saw that they were defecting. We are not ready to defect. We were more than 400 who were deceived by the leaders.

    “We did not know that they were about to defect. I have returned to my former party. I am not a member of PDP.”

    Another returnee from Orhiomwon, who pleaded for anonymity, said they were shocked at the meeting when they started seeing something different from what they were invited for.

    “We are back to claim the positions of the defectors and those who resigned from the government.”

    APC’s Interim Chairman Osaro Idah said many defectors had returned to the party.

    He said: “There are people who said they were misled into going for the meeting where they declare their movement to the PDP. Those are the people you saw here.

    “They came to declare their loyalty to the party. They said they were deceived into joining the PDP and that they were never part of the move.”