February 13, 2025
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Amaechi’s deputy dumps APC, joins PDP

“Ever since, as the true nature and motives of APC are unveiled, 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.”

With those words, the Rivers State Deputy Governor, Engineer Tele Ikuru, at the weekend dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) and returned to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The defection drew applause from the PDP’s presidential campaign organization, and criticism from the state Governor, Mr. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.

Ikuru, while resigning from the APC at his Andoni community in the state, also described moves against the reelection of President Goodluck Jonathan from Rivers State as treacherous, from which he waxed Biblical by washing off his hands.

He declared: “After carefully studying, interacting and analyzing the leadership of the party, I have come to the sad conclusion that the APC is a party of rebels, insurgents and anarchists, clothed in robes of pretense and deceit.”

He continued: “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.”

His principal, Governor Amaechi, is the Director General of the Buhari Campaign organization in the APC.

Ikuru was deputy to Sir Celestine Omehia who was ousted on the orders of the Supreme Court om October 26, 2007, paving the way for Amaechi to be sworn in as Governor.

Sources told the Daily Times that Ikuru would be received officially by President Jonathan, at a PDP stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Monday (today).

In a press statement released by the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Ibim Semenitari, the Governor declared: “The Rivers State Governor Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has only this evening received the news of the resignation of his Deputy Governor Engr Tele Ikuru from the All Progressives Congress.

“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.”

The statement continued: “He (Amaechi) however wishes to note that the reasons adduced by Engr 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 doublefaced 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.”

The PDPPCO called on other leaders of the APC to emulate Ikuru, by decamping to the PDP.

The Director of Media and Publicity of the campaign organization, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode said in a statement in Abuja that the PDP was happy to receive Ikuru back into its family.

He said: “We are glad to hear about the return of the deputy governor of Rivers state, Tele Ikuru, to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) family.

“This was a deeply courageous step and we welcome with open arms.”

His resignation speech, entitled: “A call on the conscience of the people of Rivers State,” read: “My dear People of Rivers State, I bring you honest and sincere greetings. Today, I address you out of the fullness of my heart.

“Recall that in December 2013, out of extreme loyalty to my Boss and friend, I joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) along with other then disillusioned Rivers People. Ever since, as the true nature and motives of APC are unveiled, 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 APC 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.”

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