By Kelvin Ohoror & Dorcas Owhefere
More than 100 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the 24 wards of Isoko Federal Constituency have defected to the Action Democratic Congress (ADC) during a mega rally held at St. Paul Catholic Church playground, Oyede, Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State.
The rally, which attracted party leaders, supporters and candidates across Isoko South and North, provided a platform for the ADC candidates to present their political agenda and appeal to the electorate ahead of the forthcoming elections.
Addressing the gathering, the Delta State governorship candidate of the ADC, Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru, described the party as an alternative capable of bringing economic recovery and development to Delta State and Nigeria.
Ogboru, who conveyed what he described as a message of hope and change, urged the people to support the presidential ambition of the ADC candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, saying his proposed economic policies would address the country’s challenges.
He explained that the proposed reversal of fuel subsidy would involve redirecting resources to the production sector rather than allowing them to be mismanaged.
According to him, the policy would help reduce the prices of petroleum products, revive moribund industries and create employment opportunities for Nigerians.
He further stressed the need for a responsible government that would provide jobs for graduates and ensure that those who had invested in education could contribute meaningfully to national development.
The ADC governorship candidate also disclosed that the party’s presidential candidate had promised to revive Delta State’s seaports, adding that he would hold him accountable for the fulfilment of the promise if elected.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the state of infrastructure and general development in Delta State, Ogboru challenged the electorate to assess the performance of the present administration and make their choices based on the direction they wanted the state to take.
He described the condition of some parts of the state as unacceptable and promised to change the situation through his proposed administration.
Similarly, the ADC candidate for Isoko Federal Constituency, Chief Othuke Otunumeruke, called on the people to support the party, insisting that its proposed administration would prioritise the welfare of citizens and provide equal opportunities.
Otunumeruke said an ADC-led government would work towards restoring fuel subsidy benefits, creating employment and ensuring that Delta State’s seaports became fully operational to stimulate economic activities.
He assured the electorate that the party would promote people-oriented governance and effective representation if given the mandate.
Other ADC candidates in the constituencies, including Miss Blessing Ogbodogbo, Apostle Akpode Odiri, Mrs. Hope Egime and Mr. Obaro Unuafe, also pledged to intensify their campaigns across their respective constituencies to secure victory for the party.
Earlier, the Delta State Chairman of the ADC, Mr. George Timinimi, described the Isoko mega rally as the beginning of a broader political mobilisation across the state.
He disclosed that the party would intensify its campaign activities across the three senatorial districts to strengthen its grassroots presence and improve its chances in the forthcoming elections.
Timinimi also urged party members and supporters to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), stressing that active participation in the electoral process was essential to securing the party’s victory.
