Ex-Gov Uduaghan formally joins APC, attends caucus meeting

The immediate past governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has formally announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Uduaghan, confirmed his defection at a meeting of the APC’ national caucus held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday.

The meeting was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari had in attendance leaders of the party including national officers, state governors, former state governors, ministers and National Assembly members.

The meeting which held inside the new Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, started at about 8.30pm, and also had in attendance, former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, who also recently dumped the opposition PDP for the ruling APC.

The party at the meeting which was attended by its national officers, state governors, former state governors, ministers and National Assembly members, is believed to have deliberated on ways to ensure it emerges victorious in the coming 2019 general elections.

There are also speculations that the caucus may have discussed how to go about to ensure the removal of Senate President Bukola Saraki, who recently dumped the party for the PDP. This is especially as the Senate is set to reconvene in September.

At the meeting also were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; the party’s national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; a national leader of the party, Ahmed Tinubu; and a former interim chairman, Bisi Akande.

State governors at the meeting included those of Borno, Jigawa, Niger, Plateau, Kogi, Adamawa, Ondo, Kano, Ogun, Oyo, Katsina, Osun, Yobe, Nasarawa, Kebbi and Lagos.

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They meeting also had in attendance Femi Gbajabiamila, Martin Elechi, former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff; former Lagos State Governor, Buba Marwa;  Lawrence Onoja, Jim Nwobodo, Kabiru Gaya, former APC National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun; former Enugu State Governor, Sylva Chime; former Edo State Governor, Osarieme Osunbor; former Senate President, Ken Nnamani; former Ekiti State Governor,  Niyi Adebayo; Sylva Timipre, Don Etiebet, and Lai Mohammed.

Others were Senate leader, Ahmed Lawal; Hope Uzodinma, Godswill Akpabio, and Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Ita Enang, among others.

Ministers of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Power, Works and Housing, Raji Fashola; and Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige, among others, were also present.

Speaking on reasons for his defection, Dr. Uduaghan in a statement entitled “MOVING ON TO THE BIGGER PLAYING FIELD” and sent to Ripples Nigeria, said with his desire to attract development and bring a permanent solution to the Niger Delta crisis, the APC is the only platform he can achieve his aims for the region judging from its progressiveness and the leadership style of the president.

According to him, “you have to be well represented and actively so at the “board room” when decisions are being taken. Delta State must be well represented. Niger Delta must be well represented”.

 

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