By Emma Amaize

WARRI — DEMOCRATIC Peoples Party, DPP, chieftain, Mr. Austin Ogbaburon, representing Udu/Ughelli federal constituency, in the House of Representatives, yesterday, led hundreds of his supporters to decamp to Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

His exit is seen as a major blow to DPP, led by Chief Great Ogboru, who, few days ago, lost his three-time deputy, Ogbueshi Fidelis Tilije, to a rival party.

The move is seen by analysts as a significant boost to the chances of  PDP in tomorrow’s by-election.

Ogbaburon, addressing his supporters and Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, in his home at Orhuworun, said that they had retraced their way to PDP and were ready to ensure that PDP takes the Senate ticket in the election.

He said: “We, who were in DPP and all other small parties, have today crossed over to PDP. We are tired of being in the opposition. We have seen that President Goodluck Jonathan is listening to us, the Urhobo people, and we have better chances with a PDP Senator in Abuja.”

He assured that  PDP would win the election on Saturday, adding, “We are going to win by a wide margin.”

Meantime, Governor Uduaghan has prayed for peaceful poll on Saturday.

Speaking while accepting the former members,  led by Ogbaburon, Uduaghan prayed for peace in the state,  explaining that all those who were prophesying anarchy following the election would be disappointed.

The governor, who praised the political success of  PDP in Ughelli/Udu federal constituency, said that the former DPP chieftain and House Representative member,  Ogbaburon, has only found his way back home.