The Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Tele Ikuru has defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Ikuru defected on Sunday, March 22, in a move that has been described as shocking by Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
In a statement released to explain his defection, Amaechi’s deputy stated that he left the APC because the “Rivers man in him rejected the party.”
The statement reads:
“My dear people of Rivers State, I bring you honest and sincere greetings. Today (Sunday), I address you out of the fullness of my heart. Recall that in December 2013, out of extreme loyalty to my boss and friend, I joined the APC, along with other then disillusioned Rivers people.”
“Ever since, as the true nature and motives of APC are unveiled, I have continued to twist and turn in extreme mental and emotional agony. The more I struggled to belong, the more the Rivers man in me rejects the APC.”
“After carefully studying, interacting and analyzing the leadership of the party, I have come to the sad conclusion that the APC is a party of rebels, insurgents and anarchists, clothed in robes of pretence and deceit. APC is a party founded on deception and it thrives on unholy propaganda and falsehood.”
“I, therefore, on behalf of my teaming supporters, and my humble self-denounce the APC and we all jointly and severally resign our membership of the APC.”
“My dear people of Rivers State, we of this generation will not in good conscience expect forgiveness and compassion from our forebears, posterity, and the spirit of our unborn generations if it is recorded in the annals of history that after 48 years of Rivers people supporting leaders from all other parts of this country with our votes and resources, we were the same that witch hunted and hounded down the very first ever president from this region, granted us by providence. I wash my hands off the treachery.”
“In the light of the above, I wish to urge all my supporters, the good people of Rivers State to join hands with others to vote for President Jonathan and the transformation agenda that has brought so much relief and succor to the greatest number of Nigerians.”
“I also urge all Rivers people to vote for Chief Nyesom Wike (PDP governorship candidate in the state), who has shown by his antecedents, track records and boundless capabilities that he will deliver good governance to the people of Rivers State.”
Amaechi however, in response, stated that Ikuru had lied in his remarks about the APC and should have honourably left the party instead of resorting to falsehood and name-calling.
