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By Comr Lucky Futughe - Koko, Warri North LGA HQ
Following the Wednesday directives of the leaders of the People's Democratic Party in Asaba, the Warri North LGA party leaders held a stakeholders meeting with party faithfuls across the ten(10) wards.
The meeting which was well attended by elected and appointed political office holders witnessed huge turnout of members in anticipation of the decision reached.
The meeting commenced with prayer formalities by Bishop Sunny Jero who is also Special Adviser to Delta State Governor intelligence gathering and boundary matters. This was immediately followed by the opening remarks by the former State Party Chairman of the PDP, Hon(Chief) Solomon Arenyeka who formally welcomed members to the august occasion in the month of April. His opening remarks set the ball rolling for more detailed briefs of the prevailing political transition.
Hon (Chief) Otimeyin Adams on whose instance the meeting was convened, mandated Hon Michael Diden , a former House of Assembly member representing Warri North LGA to formally introduce the rationale behind the gathering. In his speech, he informed members of the real reason behind the massive defections of party faithfuls across the State. According to him, the irreconcilable problems and the embellished dangers upfront of the 2027 gubernatorial elections were the rationale behind the strategic realignment with the All Progressive Congress (APC) and further connect Delta State into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He stated that, the mandate was for the decisions of the leader and elders of the party to be ratified across the ten(10) wards structure of Warri North LGA.
In addition, the current member representing Warri North LGA in the State House of Assembly, Hon Fred Martins adduced further reasons for the transition into the APC. According to him, the PDP has failed to convene NEC meeting post 2023 due to several court cases which has resulted to these irreconcilable differences. Therefore, for the greater good and interest of party faithfuls, it would be dangerous to remain in a party in disarray going into elections. Hence, the decision was reached for the integration of all organs of the party into the APC in Warri North LGA. Chief Lucky Tiemo, Bishop Sunny Jero, Hon Festus Ashima(Warri North LGA Chairman), Hon(Mrs) Irene Imilar and Hon(Mrs) Emily Diden added their voices in support of the defection to the ruling APC.
The climax of the meeting was the motion moved by Hon Benedict Mieyebi for the political structure of the People's Democratic Party in Warri North LGA be collapsed in the APC structure in the LGA in a strategic realignment move with the RENEWED HOPE AGENDA of the All Progressive Congress led Federal Government. The motion was swiftly seconded by Hon Elliot Wilkie, member representing Gbokoda Ward 2 in the Warri North LGA legislative arm. Following the progressive seconder, Hon(Chief) Solomon Arenyeka, the former State party Chairman of the People's Democratic Party, Delta State put the motion to vote with a resounding yes vote for the defection of all party faithfuls into the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Warri North LGA.
The closing prayers was said by Hon(Mrs) Florence Bisina, Vice Chairperson, Warri North LGA.
The meeting was attended by leaders of all the ten(10) wards including appointed political office holders, elected councilors and party faithfuls at the Koko residence of Hon(Chief Otimeyin Adams.