EXCLUSIVE – Buhari Tsunami: Mass Defection Of PDP Chieftains To APC Looms In Enugu

Posted by African Examiner Exclusive Reports, Featured, Latest Headlines, Nigeria 2015 Election Friday, April 10th, 2015

*As Enugu APC Secretariat Hitherto Deserted Becomes Beehive Of Activities For Politicians

FROM IGNATIUS OKPARA, Enugu – Contrary to recent statements by the Deputy senate president, Ike Ekweremadu,and PDP caucus in the south east zone, that the party has resolved to remain as opposition, strong indications have emerged that some of its notable chieftains in Enugu state, have opened defection discussion with APC leaders in the area.

African Examiner gathered from a reliable source close to the APC in Enugu state that serious defection talks are ongoing between the leadership of the party and scores of PDP members, including some chieftains of the party.

However, the Enugu state APC secretariat located at the Government Reservation Area (GRA) Enugu, has become a beehive of activities since the declaration of General Mohammadu Buhari of APC as winner of the March 28th presidential poll.

It would be recalled that Senator Ekweremadu, and the PDP caucus in south east, had last Monday after a meeting at his Enugu residence, declared that they would remain in opposition, and that the party has no apologies for voting against the APC candidate, General Mohammadu Buhari, during the March 28th presidential poll, which the ex- military Head of state defeated PDP Candidate, President Goodluck Jonathan.

When our Correspondent visited the APC office on Thursday, the compound of the secretariat, which before now use to be a very lonely place, can no longer accommodate the number of vehicles struggling for parking space in the premises.

It was also observed that serious marathon meetings were on in various offices at the secretariat, especially that of the state chairman and secretary, even as those outside the gate of the building were far more than people inside the building.

A chieftain of the party in the state who spoke to African Examiner under condition of anonymity said, “you can see that our party which the PDP members were making mockery of before now in Enugu state, had become a beautiful bride, which every politician wants to identify with.”

“Members of PDP are now coming in their numbers to us for discussions on their possible defection to our party.

“You can see for your self that the chairman and secretary’s office can no longer accommodate the number of guest coming in, especially the PDP members, who now want to be part of the change APC is brining to Nigeria.

“Of course, you know politicians would always want to belong to the ruling party because of their personal interests.”

Asked to let have an idea of some of the notable PDP members making the defection move, the source said: “At the appropriate time we will let the world know those that have decided to destroy their umbrellas, and pick up the broom for the change project.”

“However, just have it at the back of your mind that so many PDP members are now struggling for APC membership in Enugu state, and elsewhere in south east zone”. the source hinted

Our correspondent was unable to confirm if the deputy senate president Ike Ekweremadu, who is from Enugu state, is among those planning to defect to the APC.

Having lost the presidential election and majority seats in the senate to APC, certainly the deputy senate president will lose his exalted office in the next dispensation. He will also seize to be the speaker of the ECOWAS parliament, the position he occupies being the Nigeria’s deputy senate president.

Recall that yesterday (Thursday) elsewhere in Imo, reports say PDP governorship aspirant and former senator, Ifeanyi Arararume, Barr Humphrey Anumudu, Hon. Bethel Amadi dumped the PDP and decamped to the APC.