The Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Tele Ikuru, on Sunday announced he has defected to the Peoples Democratic Party from the All Progressives Congress (APC) where he had gone with the Governor of the State, Rotimi Amaechi.
Ikuru, who had been Amaechi’s deputy since 2007, had left the PDP with the governor, a majority of members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and their supporters to the APC after an unresolved crisis between the governor and the presidency.
His defection was a shock to members of the APC in the state as he had been supportive of the governor and joining in all APC campaigns in the state.
Ikuru’s defection was confirmed by the Director of Communications for President Goodluck Jonathan’s Campaign, Femi Fani-Kayode, on his Twitter handle.
Sources said Ikuru had not been happy with Dakuku Peterside, who is from same area with Ikuru, as the governorship candidate of the APC as endorsed by the governor.
Ikuru, who justified his decision to leave the APC said he was not happy with the choice of Peterside, adding that he had borne the thought for sometime.
He said though he left the PDP with other aggrieved members of the party, he later began to understand the true motives of the APC and since then, he had been struggling to keep up with the party.
Ikuru said: “I have continued to twist and turn in extreme mental and emotional agony.
“The more I struggle to belong, the more the Rivers man in me rejects the APC.
“After carefully studying, interacting and analysing the leadership of the party, I have come to the sad conclusion that the APe 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 this treachery.
“In the light of the above, I wish to urge all my supporters, the Good People of Rivers State to join hands with other well meaning Nigerians to massively vote for President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GCFR) and the Transformation Agenda that has brought so much relief and succour to the greatest number of Nigerians.
“I also urge all Rivers People to vote for Chief Barr Nyesom Wike (CON), who has shown by his antecedents, track records and boundless capabilities that he will deliver good governance to the People of Rivers State.”
Ikuru`s Defection A Mere Scratch On The Surface _ APC
Meanwhile the APC chapter in Andoni, home town of Ikuru, has described his defection to the PDP as a mere scratch on the surface of the towering popularity of APC in the State from the ward to the State.
Speaking to news men in Port Harcourt, a leader of the party in Andoni Local Government, Hon. Esuku Esuku, described Tele Ikuru as an appendage of Prince Uche-Awaji Secondus who has been a mole in the system all these years.
Esuku Esuku said that the defection of Ikuru was long expected since after he failed to secure the governorship ticket on the platform of the APC.
The APC in Andoni said that both Tele Ikuru and his uncle, Prince Uche-Awaji Secondus, had never returned to Andoni on election day as they remained in Port Harcourt to write results.
“This is the first time that election results will be determined by actual followership as the electorate will be expected to cast their votes using their PVC under the card reader system,” Ekusu said.
Esuku expressed belief that Ikuru’s defection is to save him from the embarrassment he will receive confronting his uncle, Prince Uche-Awaji Secondus on Election Day since their plan to secure the APC Governorship ticket did not materialise.
The APC leader called on party faithful to ignore the mole, Ikuru, and forge ahead to deliver APC’s Presidential candidate, General Mohammadu Buhari on Saturday 28th March 2015 as well as Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside on 11th April 2015.
Defection: I Wish My Deputy Well, Says Amaechi
Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State has reacted to the defection of Tele Ikuru, his deputy, to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying though he had not been formally briefed of Ikuru’s action, he wished the Deputy Governor well in his future endeavour.
A statement by Ibim Semenitari, the Commissioner for Information in the state, read: “Whilst the news remains unofficial at this time, as the Deputy Governor is yet to notify His Excellency the Governor of his move, Governor Amaechi however wishes Engr. Ikuru all the best in his future political endeavours.
“He however wishes to note that the reasons given by Ikuru are shocking as Deputy Governor lkuru has consistently been the one driving political activities in his local government area of Andoni. He has also been the second in command driving politics and governance in Rivers state.
“On a personal note, Governor Amaechi has accorded Engr Ikuru all the privileges and respect due the office of the Deputy Governor and has treated him with love as a friend and brother.
“Though the Governor had hoped that the numerous rumours of Engr. Ikuru’s double-faced membership of the APC and open romance with the PDP were not true, he however appreciates the fact that every individual has a right to pursue his political dreams, as he deems most appropriate.
“It is however regrettable that Engr. Ikuru has chosen the dishonourable path of bare faced lies and name calling rather than the more honourable path of simply retracing his steps to where he has always been.”
