Former governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, on Thursday confirmed that he will dump the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He told Vanguard, Thursday evening, that there was pressure on him to join APC, but it was not an affair of the National Chairman of APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
“The situation is more from the situation on ground in PDP and my political future. I am also looking at my political future and those of my followers. I have studied the political terrain and I believe the Delta should not be in opposition,” the newspaper quoted him as saying over the phone.
Asked if Comrade Oshiomhole had discussed his movement to APC with him, Uduaghan said: “Yes, I am talking with Oshiomhole, we are discussing like old colleagues, it is not a pressure, he would wish that I come over, but I also told him that I have a leader, Chief James Onanefe Ibori and they should have a discussion with him.”
An APC chieftain, who spoke to Vanguard corroborated Uduaghan’s claim, saying: “Uduaghan and Oshiomhole are ex-governors and friends, so when the matter came up regarding Uduaghan joining APC, he made it clear that he has a political leader, who is Chief James Ibori.”
His words: “He told Oshiomhole and those, who spoke to him to discuss with Ibori because as far as he is concerned, there is no competition between him (Oshiomhole) and Ibori over who is his political leader. Ibori is his leader and I do not think that Oshiomhole will contest that.”
The stalwart added: “There are a lot of issues and undercurrents regarding Uduaghan and his movement to APC, which will not be dragged to the media just now. We have to watch.”
Uduaghan is interested in the Delta South senatorial seat currently being occupied by Senator James Manager.
Chief Great Ogboru, who he defeated in the governorship elections is also a mwmber of the APC in the state.
