Agatu goes agog as Ngbede receives thousands of new members to PDP  

Obagaji, the Headquarter of Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State was on Sunday brought to a standstill as the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, received thousands of new members from All Progressive Party, APC, Labour Party, LP and other parties who abandoned their parties to embrace the umbrella.

Receiving the decampees, State Chairman of PDP, Sir John Ngbede thanked them for coming back to the umbrella party for protection after undergoing political sojourn, seeing the difference between light and darkness, discovering that PDP was the only party that has their interests at heart, adding that Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency is PDP and would continue to remain so.

“I have nothing more to say because I am overwhelmed by the mammoth crowd but I assure you that every member whether new or old will be given equal treatment”, Ngbede said.

He thanked the leader of the party and Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom for providing quality leadership that is attracting members of other parties in droves to PDP, pledging the unflinching support of the party to his administration.

Speaking in the same vein, Member representing Obi/Oju Federal Constituency at the Green Chamber of the National Assembly, Rt Hon Samson Okwu appreciated the defectors for coming back to PDP after seeing the light, advising them against such mistake that almost caused the PDP election misfortunes.

In his speech, member representing Agatu State Constituency, Hon Godwin Abu Edoh told the defectors that their return to PDP was a homecoming for them, assuring them of a level play ground.

He appreciated His Excellency, Samuel Ortom for doing so much for the people of Agatu, especially in the areas of security and infrastructural development, soliciting for the construction of the Obagaji-Okokolo-Agagbe road which has already been awarded by the governor.

Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Pastor Ojotu Ojema in his speech, urged party members to tolerate one another, be patient and always wait till God’s appointed time, go to political battles with clean hands and leave vengeance for God, saying unity through dialogue is the surest way to resolving internal crisis, preventing disenchantment and defection.

In his speech, Special Adviser to the Governor of Benue State on Special Duties, Hon Joseph Odaudu said; Apa/Agatu would continue to remain as PDP Save Haven and would by guarded jealously against the enemies of the people in other parties.

Immediate past member representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency Hon Ademu Entonu in his heart touching speech, thanked the defectors for returning to PDP on time after realising their past mistakes, warning the people of the federal constituency not to repeat such colossal mistake that has affected the party deeply.

Member representing Apa State Constituency, Hon Abu Umoru, Apa LGA Chairman, Hon Ameh Akoche and party chairman of the party, Hon Otokpa who spoke separately but in the same vein on behalf of Apa people, eulogised the great leadership by the State working committee of the party led by Sir John Ngbede that is making the party so attractive to new members, promising similar and even better event in the days ahead in Ugbokpo, Apa LGA Headquarter.

Earlier in his welcoming speech, the host and Chairman of Agatu Local Government Area, Hon Adoyi Suleiman who couldn’t hide his joy because of the unprecedented crowd, welcome all the guests to the epoch making event, wishing them safe journey back home.

PDP Chairman, Agatu Local Government, Hon Emmanuel Eche in his speech, welcome the new members to PDP, saying the umbrella is large enough to accommodate everybody.

In their goodwill messages, Deputy State Chairman of the party, Hon Isaac Mffo and the State Woman leader, Hon. Mrs Abije Egwa and Benue South Zonal Chairman of the party, Hon Godwin Ewulo, all eulogised the state chairman of the party, Sir John Ngbede for an excellent leadership which is serving as catalyst for membership attraction, pledging the continuous support of other state working committee members.

The immediate past member representing Agatu State Constituency at the 8th Benue State House of Assembly, Hon Sule Audu and Permanent Commissioner IV at Benue State Civil Service Commission, Hon Akpa Idu also in their separate goodwill messages, thanked the Governor and State working Committee of the party for working assiduously towards stabilising the party in every nook and cranny of the state, pledging their total commitment.

Responding, one of the leaders of the defectors, former Deputy Director, Federal Inland Revenue Service and a political rock in Agatu, Pst. Dr John Elaigwu Odogbo tabled an unreserved apology to the state chairman of the party, Sir John Ngbede for going against the party in 2019 to install Hon Samuel Godday of Labour Party as member representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency, assuring the PDP that such mistake wouldn’t repeat itself anymore.

Also speaking, one of the leaders of the decampees, a humanitarian and philanthropist, Hon James Melvin Ejeh said, truth will always overcome lies, adding that the upcoming electioneering campaign shouldn’t all about talking but to showcase to the people what you have to offer them.

He said he had since decamped to PDP shortly after the 2019 General elections at ward level and was just making it official, promising his unalloyed loyalty.

Hon Aliyu Ademu in his decamping speech, said they had tested other parties and their leaders but discovered them to be fake and have to return to PDP to send them packing in 2023.

Another leader of the defectors and former councillor representing Obagaji ward who almost stole the show through his grammatical prowess, Hon Mamuda said APC was not a political party but an Association of Past Criminals and herdsmen irredentists who are after destruction, killing and stealing.

Mrs Ashetu, Obagaji Ward APC Woman leader who also abandoned her party said, she was abandoned and became very poor while on political sojourn in APC and has fully returned back to PDP where she would be recognised and rich.

By Olikita Ekani