The member. representing Ughelli North State Constituency II in the Delta State House of Assembly, DTHA, Hon Akpodiete Rufus Edoja has returned to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
He declared his defection from the Democratic Peoples Party, DPP on. Saturday, December 7, 2013 at the residence of the South-South National Chairman of the PDP, Dr Steve Oru in Ughelli, Delta State.
Asked of the implication of his decamp from the DPP on which platform he was elected to the House, Barr Akpodiete explained that the party under which he contested, DPP, was presently in factions and under such circumstance, it was constitutional for an elected member to decamp to any other party.
He then called on all his constituents and Deltans in general to continue to support the transformation agenda of Mr. President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and the Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, describing him as foremost leader and Governor among equals.
He also drummed support for and pledged his unalloyed loyalty to the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, the Rt Hon Victor Ochei, urging the people to do the needful in rallying round the Governor and the Speaker, as there is so much to gain now, always and even beyond 2015.
Barrister Akpodiete who gave reasons for his return to PDP said, among other things, that after very considered and widescale consultations with elders, his constituents and teeming supporters and fans within and outside his Constituency, he had to return to his original family, the PDP.
He explained that his people who massively elected and sent him to the DTHA are the same people who have asked him to return to the ruling party, the PDP.
He noted that if he must remain relevant as his people’s representative, then he has no choice than to obey and be on the same page with his people.
Speaking at the occasion, the South South Chairman of the PDP, Dr Steve Oru expressed joy at the wise decision of the lawmaker to return to the only party with solid presence and structures from the ward, local government level and from state to the federal.
He affirmed that having genuinely re-traced his steps to the family where he started his political journey over a decade ago, Hon Akpodiete’s rights and privileges would be restored to him as a bonafide member of the PDP.
On his return, when put to a voice vote, the huge crowd of men, women and the youth present howled a deafening yes.
The elated Hon Akpodiete Rufus Edoja was then issued a PDP membership card, which he raised in display to the cheering applaud of his teeming supporters.
Turn after turn, PDP chieftains and stalwarts at the occasion extolled the good virtues of the lawmaker. Hon Barr. Samuel Mariere, member representing Ughelli North Constituency I in the DTHA, expressed happiness that the number of PDP legislators in the House is now 26, noting that development of the two constituencies in Ughelli would be facilitated.
According to Chief Fred Majemite, the Political Adviser to the Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, Hon Akpodiete’s return to the PDP is cheering news and a plus for him as political adviser to His Excellency, especially as he is from the same area with the returnee. He thanked all those who made it possible for Akpodiete to take this bold step, adding that “it takes good courage to do what he has done”.
Chief Christopher Obiuwevbi, the commissioner representing Ughelli North and Ethiope East on the Board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC and popularly known in Delta political clime as “ominimini”, said, “Edoja is a grassroots politician. When he left the party, a vacuum was created. But now that he is back, PDP will be stronger in Constituency II. In fact, PDP has now become fortified in this area”, he added.
Comrade Hezekiah Ugbuvwiako, PDP Chairman, Ward 2/6, the unit of Akpodiete’s homestead described the lawmaker as “a true politician with unassuming modesty, relatively young and vibrant, loved by all his people with humility as his greatest asset”.
A PDP stalwart in the area, Hon Prince Ben Oru referred to Akpodiete as a political rising sun whose light will shine up there for a very long time to come, judging from his humble and flexible but focused political style.
Those who witnessed the return ceremony include Hon Samuel Mariere; Chief Fred Majemite; former Speaker of DTHA, Rt Hon Festus Agas; Chief Moses Irabor; Dr Isaac Akpoveta; Chief Erhue Friday; Chief Imoniero Shedrack; Hon Prince Ben Oru; Chief Ufuoma Okpako and a host of PDP faithful.
