By  SIMON EBEGBULEM
BENIN—OVER 2,000 members of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Orhionmwon and Oredo Local Government Councils in Edo State, yesterday, dumped the party for Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN.

Those who decamped included the President General of Igbanke Development Association, Elder Ben Oghumu.

The former PDP members led by Oghumu, said they decided to join the ACN because of the zeal so far exhibited by Governor Adams Oshiomhole in executing development projects in the state.

The defectors were received by Governor Oshiomhole, the state Chairman of ACN, Thomas Okosun and other leaders of the party.

Oghumu, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues at a well attended rally held at Urhokpota hall in Benin City, said: “We used to say, let us watch what is happening and we have watched enough.”

“ACN is real and Oshiomhole’s government is real. We have watched him since 2008 and as the President of Igbanke Development Association, we have seen that there is nothing we can do but support Oshiomhole. I have been in the PDP since the inception of this democracy but they failed to provide dividends of democracy to our people when they were in power.”

“Igbanke had no road but today Oshiomhole has signed a contract for the construction of Igbanke intra-city road. We know he will do more and we are here to declare for Oshiomhole.”

Oshiomhole who welcomed them into the party, said their decision will further encourage him in ensuring good governance to the people of the state.

According to him, “God has re-united us to make the ACN family bigger. To Edo people, we have only one purpose in politics, to seek power for development. We want to play politics of building roads, schools, bringing water and electricity to the people.

“The best way to punish the PDP is to do good for the people as they fail to do anything throughout their stay in power. Today, we are in government and the people can see what we have done in three years and what they did in 10 years. Our report card will speak for us any day any time.”