*As 300 APC members decamp to PDP in Ethiope East

By Festus Ahon & Ochuko Akuopha

ASABA—PEOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, in Delta State, yesterday, said the economic policies so far initiated by All Progressives Congress, APC, in the country were injurious to Nigerians, claiming the party loved to deceive Nigerians.

This came as no fewer than 300 members of APC in Ethiope East Local Government Area of the state reportedly defected to PDP.

Chairman of PDP in the state, Chief Kingsley Esiso, who spoke when he led the state executive of the party on a familiarization visit to members in Isoko North Local Government Area, said: “They (APC) love deceiving Nigerians. We suffered it in 2015 and we are still suffering it today. They came and sold change to us. Nigerians bought change without knowing the type of change they were selling. The change Nigerians bought is negative, injurious and has brought suffering to them.”

Arguing that the PDP was better positioned to rescue the country from its present economic quagmire, Esiso called for unity in the party to enable it build on its successes and win the 2019 general election at all levels.

Earlier in his remarks, Chairman of the party in Isoko North, Mr. Godwin Ogorugba, said the party in the area was in total support of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s SMART agenda “to enable him deliver on his prosperity for all Deltans mantra. It is on this note that we declare ‘No Vacancy in Delta State Government House in 2019’ and we are ready and committed to this project.”

Meanwhile, over 300 members of APC in Ovu Ward 5, Ethiope East Local Government Area, have reportedly defected to PDP.

Speaking on behalf of the defectors at Isiokolo, during the visit of the state PDP chairman, to the area, Chief Fada Unukpo said their decision to join forces with the PDP was informed by the alleged ill treatment meted to them by the leadership of the APC in the area.

He lauded the Senior Special Assistant on Peace Building to Delta State Governor, Mr Augustine Ogedegbe, whom he said had made relentless efforts in consolidating on the unity of the PDP in the area and prevailing on members of opposition parties to join the PDP.

He pledged their support for the leadership of the Party at all levels and the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.