By Our Reporters.
Signs of a ” it’s no game as usual” in the political playground of Delta state may be looming, as House of Representative member , Ethiope Federal Constituency, Hon( Mrs) Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu has set the pace of mass defection from the ruling party PDP in Delta state to the All Progressive Party APC.
The Oghara mini stadium was full to capacity and spilling into adjoining streets as the daughter of former Delta governor James etched her name in political history with a new nickname , “The Bulldozer of Delta Politics and Amazon Of The Niger – Delta.” This was evidenced by her ability to pull no fewer than 38 House of Rep members to the dual ceremony of constituency empowerment and crossovers of large numbers of PDP political stalwarts to the national party APC, it was indeed a sign she is out to shake things up in Delta political landscape.
The occasion was seen as palpable cleansing of PDP in Ethiope Federal Constituency with evidence of massive defection of the political class in the Ethiope East and Ethiope West exiting the state ruling party to the national party APC, thus creating fears of a rough fight ahead of 2027 elections.
The crowded James Ibori Stadium, Oghara, was dotted with multiple empowerments gifts of sewing machines, power generators, tricycles, motorcycles, hair styling machineries and various brands of vehicles, which were later distributed by the donor sparking up singing and dancing in praise of Ibori Suenu who had left the PDP in November.
Among dignitaries in attendance were immediate Deputy Senate President DSP Chief Ovie Omo- Agege, former House of Reps, Hon, John Hallims Agoda, Itsekiri political warlord, Chief Ayiri Emami, PDP henchman, Chief William’s Makinde and APC Delta State Chairman and the crème de la crème of PDP from Ethiope Federal Constituency.
Those who eulogized the female Rep member included former Deputy Senate President, DSP, Hon, Ovie Omo -Agege, former Rep member, Hon, John Hallims Agoda and other APC members in House of Representative commended Mrs Ibori-Suenu for her undsunting courage and foresight to dump the People’s Democratic Party for the national party.
Chief ( Senator) Ovie Omo- Agege, in a seeming diatribe, disclosed that the reckless and unaccounted spending of the present administration in Delta state, he estimated at #900 billion, among other revenues to the state, are going to be probed by the incoming APC administration.
Hon, John Hallims Agoda, remarked, saying, Hon, Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu is a blessing to the constituency and Delta state in general, commending her feat of courage and empathy to the yearnings of her constituency through continuous empowerment of the people and her vision to move to APC.
Addressing the old and new APC members, Rep Ibori – Suenu closely guarded by her husband, said, it was out of compulsion she stayed this long in PDP, adding ” I never liked the party from the beginning, but just to fulfil all righteousness.
She further remarked saying” am not afraid of anybody, cos I am a true Urhobo and Oghara woman. a statement that stirred up the popular song, ” As ide sweet us, ide pain dem” reverberating throughput the stadium.
A body, known as Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu Grassroot Network. consisting of ward leaders and stakeholders from the two local government areas was later sworn in, to kickstart activities towards victory of APC in Ethiope Federal Constituency, come 2027.
The ceremony which was graced by Rep members across north and south regions of the country, gave lofty account of Ibori-Suenu, pointing out that plans are completed for the full takeover of Delta state by APC.
Delta state APC Chairman, Chief Omeni Sobotie apologised for his absence, while top APC stalwarts including, Chief Monday Ovwigho Igbuya, Chief Hope Abijoro, Chief Champion Patege, Chief Solomon Golley, Comrade Favour Ededeh,, Dr Amos Ighoroje among others pledged their unflinching loyalty to Erhiatake new movement.