Marian Alli Suffers Setback In Oshimili, As Her Political Associates Dump APC For PDP

Barely 48 hours to the Delta State local government elections, hundreds of All Progressives Congress (APC) faithfuls including political associates of Chief (Mrs.) Marian Alli, wife of former PDP national chairman who recently defected to APC has left her for the ruling party, PDP in Oshimili South local government area.

The development, a source said would be a major setback for Chief Mrs Marian Alli in her bid to control the political structures of the council area.

The defectors, who were led by APC bigwigs in the local government area including Hon Idowu Onwudinjo, a political confidant of Chief (Mrs.) Marian Alli and former State Secretary of the Sheriff-led PDP faction, Hon Jude Okafor and Comrade Dada Okolo (Omenife).

The decampees at the carnival like occasion, set several bunch of brooms, the symbol of APC and their membership cards ablaze.

Spokesperson of the decampees, Hon Okafor, recalled that they were former members of PDP who have decided to return and abide by the rules of the party, adding that they were determined to work and ensure that APC did not score more than 20 votes in Oshimili South local government area in Saturday’s election.

He said they were spurred by the leadership style of the Chairman of PDP in Oshimili South Local Government Area, Ogbueshi Dada Okonji, who has demonstrated capability and quality as a leader

Receiving the decampees at the campaign attended by PDP bigwigs in the area, the Delta North Chairman of PDP, Hon Moses Iduh, commended them for the bold step and assured that the party will not discriminate against them at any level.

Hon Iduh while promising that their interests would be taken care of, urged them to work for the success of PDP in all the wards in Oshimili South local government area in the coming local government elections.

Earlier before introducing the decampees, the Chairman of PDP in Oshimili South Local Government Area, Ogbueshi Dada Okonji, thanked the party executives at the ward and local government areas, PDP leaders and party faithful for their participation throughout the campaign.

He attributed the success of the campaign and the number of those that returned to the party to the unity prevailing among the leaders and members, adding that PDP was sure of 100 per cent votes in all the wards as chances of anti-party activity has been blocked with the defection of the APC bigwigs..

Ogbueshi Okonji thanked the Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, the State PDP Chairman, Barr Kingsley Esiso and the PDP Delta North Chairman, Hon Moses Iduh, for their roles in ensuring peace in the party in the local government area.

In his comment, the PDP Chairmanship candidate, Comrade Uche Osadebe, expressed delight with the role played by leaders and PDP executives and promised to justify the confident reposed on him.

Highlights of the campaign was the presentation of wheel chair donated by wife of the governor, Dame Edith Okowa, to a physically challenged person, Mr. Ezekiel Nwanze by the wife of Chairman of PDP in Oshimili South local government area, Mrs. Maureen Okonji, burning brooms and destruction of membership cards of APC by decampees and presentation of party flag to PDP Councilorshi[p candidate in Ward Six (Umuonaje), Comrade Love Nwokobia.

This report was contributed to by Patrick Nwanze

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