Some prominent leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the 23 local government areas have reportedly started defecting to the ruling party in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). This, according to Rivers PDP, is apparently in response to Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike’s statement that the recent Supreme Court verdict was not just victory for him and the PDP but for all Rivers people, irrespective of party affiliations.

To welcome the defectors into the PDP umbrella, the party’s Chairman in Rivers State, Bro Felix Obuah, has concluded arrangements to receive the defecting leaders and members of the opposing APC across the 23 council areas of the state who have accepted to join the PDP, following hands of fellowship extended to them by the governor.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the State PDP Chairman on Media and Publicity, Mr Jerry Needam, who noted that Governor Wike never minced words when he called on the APC to join him in building the state, noting: “The Supreme Court victory was not just victory for the PDP, but for all Rivers people irrespective of party affiliations.”

Obuah reaffirmed that the party’s umbrella is large enough to accommodate everyone, “including those who left the PDP at the 11th hour, for fear that the judgment of the Supreme Court would not favour Governor Wike.”

He reasoned that, like the father of the biblical prodigal son, “the PDP would still receive all returnees with affection. What is uppermost in the mind of Governor Wike is to continue with his developmental agenda and take the state to the next level.” Therefore, Obuah appealed to members of the APC, who are still worried over the loss at the Supreme Court, to see Wike’s invitation as the best option, as development of Rivers State and not party affiliation should be paramount in their hearts.

Describing the mass defection of APC members to the PDP shortly after the Supreme Court ruling as unprecedented, Obuah assured them that the Wike administration would not only give them a befitting reception, but will also carry them along in the scheme of things.

•Photo shows Obuah.