Elected local government councilors representing all 18 local government areas in Edo State have vehemently refuted claims of their defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), reaffirming their unwavering loyalty to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The councilors gathered at the PDP Secretariat in Benin City on Thursday to publicly declare their continued allegiance to the party.
The councilors denounced what they described as a deliberate attempt to mislead President Bola Tinubu, the general public, and the APC leadership through the dissemination of false defection reports.
Dr. Anthony Aizegbemi, Chairman of the PDP Caretaker Committee, received approximately 172 councilors and emphatically stated, “We want to unequivocally state that all councilors elected on the platform of the PDP are fully with us, and their conscience can’t be bought.”
The councilors also used the opportunity to condemn the alleged unconstitutional suspension and impeachment of local government chairmen within the state.
Hon. Izekor Harrison, leader of the Oredo Legislative Arm, addressed the gathering, stating, “We have decided to follow Asue Ighodalo and the PDP till the very end, and nothing will change it. We are united and strong and are confident that we will emerge victorious in the end. Our loyalty to the party remains unshaken.”
Harrison further alleged that their salaries and allowances had been withheld, and his official car seized, actions he attributed to political pressure. Despite these alleged pressures, he insisted, “We remained committed to our party and would not betray it, no matter the inducement and intimidation.”
Echoing Harrison’s sentiments, Collins Idiakheuan, leader of the Esan West Local Council’s legislative arm, affirmed that he and his colleagues have not defected and remain steadfastly committed to the PDP.
The councilors were received by several PDP chieftains, including Henry Duke Tenebe (Secretary), Chris Osa Nehikhare (Publicity Secretary), Princess Mrs. Philomena Ihenyen (Political Adviser), and Ethan, among others. Elected local government chairmen and their deputies were also present and similarly denied reports of their defection, reiterating their unwavering loyalty to the PDP. The display of unity aims to dispel rumors and solidify the PDP’s position at the local government level within Edo State.
