Over 1,000 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State have dumped the party for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). They were received in Opobo Town on Thursday by Rivers State PDP Chairman, Bro. Felix Obuah.

Speaking during the reception/sensitization rally, Bro. Obuah commended Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike for matching his words with action on the Ogoni/Andoni/Opobo Unity Road.

Recalling that the idea of constructing a road linking Ogoni/Andoni/Opobo was conceived and started in 1999 by former Governor Peter Odili, the State PDP Chairman stated that the project would have been long completed had immediate past governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi given it the desired support during his eight years rule.

He called on the people of Opobo Kingdom to show appreciation to Governor Wike for making the road project a reality, adding that the completion of the road will boost socio-economic activities in the town.

“How else can a Governor demonstrate unconditional love and affection for a people than to give them something they have yearned for centuries, a link into the world outside to give them a new lease of life?” Bro. Obuah asked. He urged the people to reciprocate the gesture by giving their maximum support to the administration of Governor Wike.

Bro. Obuah said he was piqued at the revelation by Commissioner for Education, Dr. Tamunosisi Gogo Jaja, that it was Amaechi who as then Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly in 1999, on the floor of the House objected to the Ogoni/Opobo/Andoni Unity Road project which when initiated by then Governor Peter Odili.

The State PDP boss regretted that Amaechi wasted eight years he would have used to complete the road, adding that the defeated APC governorship candidate at the 2015 polls, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, who is a son of Opobo, even as then Commissioner for Works could not support the completion of the Ogoni/Opobo/Andoni Unity Road.

Bro. Obuah urged people of the area to take advantage of the ongoing Permanent Voters Registration exercise to get registered and support the PDP during the election.

Among those who decamped from APC to the PDP were Ngerebia Emmanuel, APC State officio member and President, Nkoro Solidarity Forum; Ibim Clement Ogolo, APC Youth Leader in Opobo/Nkoro from Ward 3 in Opobo, same ward with the defeated APC Governorship candidate, Mr. Dakuku Adol Peterside; Dimeari Bellgam, APC Ward 4 Coordinator and Effort Dappa, APC Ward 8 Coordinator.