Warri South PDP collapses into APC – Agbateyiniro, Party leaders adduce reasons

The entire PDP structure in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State on Friday April 25, collapsed into the All Progressives Congress, Fresh Angle International, can authoritatively report.

Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Comr. Agbateyiniro Weyinmi Isaac, Delta State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Barr. Ada Val Arenyeka, one of the founding leaders of Peoples Democratic Party in Warri Federal Constituency, Chief (Dr.) Roland Oritsejafor, Warri South PDP leader, Chief (Dr.) Joseph Otumara, leader of Warri Urhobos in PDP, Chief (Prof.) Israel Abido, Deputy Leader of Warri Urhobos in PDP, who is also the Special Adviser on Environment to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Hon. Matthew Poko Opuoru, Special Adviser to Governor Oborevwori on Niger Delta Affairs, Hon. Griftson Timeyin Omatsuli, prominent PDP Chieftain, Hon. Omimi Esquire as well as Hon. Richard Pessu, who convened the meeting as Warri South PDP Chairman, were among leaders and stalwarts of PDP that attended the emergency meeting, where the entire PDP in the area, openly broke-down its structure and fused into the All Progressives Congress, after a unanimous voice vote.

The Warri South Local Government Boss, who addressed the large gathering of the anxious hitherto PDP faithful, at King George Hall in Warri South Council Sub-Secretariat in Warri, explained: “This is difficult for us, because of the psychological attachment we all have for our great PDP. But interestingly the job has been made easier.

“On the 23rd of April, critical stakeholder- meeting was convened at the state capital. At various layers of meeting, the issue was one.

Front Row: Rev. Dave Otofia (left) Mr. Amah Agbajoh (3rd left) Chief Femi Okumagba (4th left) Chief Linda Eya Ikpuri (3rd right) Chief (Mrs.) Divine Ann Iniovosa (right) & others

“We have all moved from PDP to APC. The essence of this meeting, is to pass the information about the decision and at the LGA level, we are expected to rectify that same decision, afterwards we take it to the ward and unit levels.

“Some of us may have been agitated why the decision was taken. First, the decision was not taken unilaterally by the Governor (Sheriff Oborevwori) but it was a collective decision of all the stakeholders that attended the various layers of the meetings.”

From left (Front Row): Hon. Kenneth Efejuku, Hon. Matthew Mofe Edema, Hon. Godwin Abigor & others

Whilst explaining the legal and other obstacles the party leadership reviewed before arriving at the decision to join APC, Comr. Agbateyiniro, averred: “PDP has been hijacked. There are lots of irreconcilable crisis at the National level. PDP is already in danger. The crisis the party is going through, is enormous.

“If we are not going to join the ruling party at the National level, then we need to go into coalition, the question is, where is the coalition? How strong is the coalition? All members of the party, must move along with the governor into APC.”

L-R: Chief Vincent Okudolor, Ovoke Omagbemi, Ogbe Eke & Emiko Oghomienor

Delta State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Barr. Ada Val Arenyeka, who also addressed the gathering, stated: “Leaving PDP and joining APC, that has the National, open doors to us in Delta State. We will be able to attract Federal Government projects to Delta State.

“It is the people that makes up the party, not the party that makes up the people, APC or PDP is just a name. We were in PDP and now moved to APC, we are the same people, we just changed name.

“I don’t want you all to feel gloomy or sad, because it is a necessity. We are who we are, we have the structure, nobody can intimidate us. All of them there (APC) are from PDP, we sent them ahead, we are just going to join them. Going forward, let us keep doing what we do.”

On his part, Chief (Dr.) Roland Oritsejafor, noted: “Warri South Political family, is a favoured family. I am a bit worried if I think of the sweat through your effort, we put into PDP at the National level, but we are going to move on.

“Our fathers in PDP, who are supposed to be protecting us, are sabotaging us. We are moving into APC to take over.”

Another founding leader of PDP in Warri South, Prof Abido, declared: “We don’t understand even the judgement of the court (Supreme Court, supposedly as it relates to the PDP National Leadership).

“It is only the wise bride that looks critically into the eyes of the bridegroom. PDP in Delta, is a beautiful bride that is being wooed by everybody. We are moving collectively and together we shall stand.”

×