By Festus Ahon

ASABA—THREE former commissioners who served with the erstwhile governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, weekend, led their supporters out of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to All Progressives Congress, APC. They are former Commissioner for Housing, Chief Paulinus Akpeki; former Commissioner for Lands, Surveys and Urban Development, Mr Missan Ukubeyinje and former Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr Ebifa Ijeoma.

Speaking at a press briefing in Asaba, Chief Akpeki said his decision to leave PDP for APC with his supporters was borne out of his conviction that the state needed to be freed from the grip of the PDP, which according to him, was threatening to turn the state into a fiefdom. Akpeki said his association with the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, dated back to the time when he was to contest as running mate to Oyegun in 1991 as governor in the defunct Bendel State.

He said: “We shall take over power because we are like John the Baptist heralding the coming of the Messiah. It is not going to be easy because nothing good comes easy but the end will be smooth. APC will offer constructive criticism in the state but will not go on character assassination. We will not sit and watch the state go into oblivion. Delta State with all its enormous resources cannot afford to be in opposition.”

Akpeki, who also served as Chief of Staff in Uduaghan’s government, told the party faithful that included the State Chairman, Prophet Jones Erue, Chief Ayiri Emami, Olorogun Jaro Egbo and others, that with the APC in charge of the Federal Government, it was proper for him to pitch tent with the ruling party at the centre instead of being in the opposition.

Also speaking, Ebifa Ijeoma and Ukubeyinje, stressed the need for the state to be part of the mainstream politics.