A former Peoples Democratic Celebration (PDP) stalwart and ex-Commissioner in Ebonyi State, Barrister Timothy Odah, has formally defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He urged political actors to embrace peace, unity and collective growth within the state.
Odah, who beforehand served as PDP State Monetary Secretary and Authorized Adviser, introduced his defection throughout a go to to the APC Secretariat in Abakaliki on Monday.
He stated his choice to hitch the ruling social gathering was motivated by a renewed need to assist leaders working for the progress of Ebonyi State.
Expressing deep appreciation to Governor Francis Nwifuru, Odah recommended him for creating an environment the place each political actor feels welcome.
He stated the governor’s inclusive strategy had made political reunification in Ebonyi State each attainable and significant.
He recalled that many individuals as soon as doubted the potential for a united political entrance within the state, however the present administration’s fashion of governance had strengthened collaboration relatively than division.
Odah pressured that political variations mustn’t ever escalate into hostility, insisting that real growth can solely be achieved by means of dialogue and collective reasoning.
“There isn’t a want for a battle once we can sit at a spherical desk and remedy our issues.
“Even international locations that go to struggle finally return to dialogue. If our intention is to develop the state, then there isn’t any want for preventing,” he stated.
He described each APC and PDP in Ebonyi as one political household with shared historical past and customary faces, dismissing the concept of “successful somebody over” as an pointless narrative.
In response to him, the events solely took totally different paths, however their roots stay intact.
The previous commissioner vowed to deliver again the peace-driven politics he had all the time championed, calling on politicians to keep away from violence, particularly throughout elections.
He warned that damaging politics solely empowers adversaries.
“If we pound ourselves into the mud and cook dinner our soup with our blood, who will eat it?
“The enemy will eat it. Let’s win elections with out violence, notably in Igbo land,” he stated.
Odah urged APC members to be ambassadors of peace, empathy, tolerance, and brotherhood, stressing that political success should translate into the wellbeing of the individuals.
He additionally clarified that his lengthy absence from partisan politics was self-imposed to permit youthful politicians house to develop, emphasizing that he holds no grudges towards anybody.
On growth issues, Odah lamented the absence of electrical energy and motorable roads in his Ukawu neighborhood.
He expressed optimism that his return to lively politics would assist appeal to wanted infrastructure.
“If my coming again to the social gathering will deliver my individuals these facilities, let it’s,” he stated.
Earlier, the State APC Chairman, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, welcomed Odah into the social gathering, praising Governor Nwifuru for fostering the form of political setting the place all people be at liberty to hitch or return.
Emegha reiterated that the APC in Ebonyi is dedicated to peaceable dialogue and collective drawback fixing.
“Not that opposition shouldn’t be good, it challenges the ruling social gathering to do extra.
“However there isn’t any want for a battle once we can sit at a spherical desk and proffer options. In case your blueprint is to develop the state, then there isn’t any want for preventing,” he stated.
