APC Guber Aspirant, Tilijie Joins PDP

Says stoning of President no feature of progressives Omon-Julius Onabu in Warri

Chieftain of Delta State chapter of All Progressive Congress (APC) and  a 2015 governorship aspirant of the party, Sir Fidelis Tilije, has quit the party and pitched tent with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The ex-APC gubernatorial aspirant, who was reported to have recently mended fences with the APC governorship candidate, Chief O'tega Emerhor, said he was compelled by moral obligation to dump the party because of certain acts of the APC and its leaders that were unbecoming of true progressives.

He said he could not, for example, reconcile the unrestrained insults and stoning of President Goodluck Jonathan with claims by APC as a party of progressives.

Tilije, a renowned banker who was a two-time running mate to Chief Great Ogboru now the governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP), was formally received into the PDP at Obiaruko, Ukwani local Government Area, Delta State.

Deputy Governor, Prof Amos Utuama (SAN), welcomed the ex-APC chieftain on behalf of the state Acting Chairman of the PDP chairman, Chief Edwin Uzor, as well as the leader of the party, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.

Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, the PDP governorship candidate, witnessed the brief ceremony, who the PDP leaders noted had further strengthened the poise of the party to sweep the various elections in Delta State this month.

However, Utuama, who is the chairman of the state Campaign Contact Committee of the PDP, noted that it was very challenging and difficult to succeed as an opposition member, saying Tilijie's decision was a bold step that needed to be emulated by those still in the opposition camp.

He urged the former APC chieftain to encourage his teeming supporters and others to join the moving train that is the PDP, which has remained the winning team since 1999, by voting for all the party's candidates in the general election.

Utuama said "Today, you have demonstrated that you are a man of integrity. Today, you have joined the mainstream; and, that is PDP.  Let this bold step you have taken today translate all the votes in Ukwani local government area, in Anioma senatorial district to victory for our President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan and our governorship candidate, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, and PDP candidates in general."

Nevertheless, while addressing Sir Tilije and the people of Ukwani, the PDP gubernatorial candidate described Tilije’s dumping of the APC as one of the waves of change in favour of PDP that would send ripples across the country, noting that such unity of forces would enhance peace and development in Delta State.