Ikuru Dumps APC For PDP, Accuses Party Of Pretence, Deceit

The Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Engr. Tele Ikuru, has dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring that he could no longer remain in a party whose leadership and direction, according to him, had become difficult to reconcile with his values.

Ikuru made his position known in his defection speech in Rivers State, where he also launched a strong criticism of his former party, describing the APC as a party “clothed in robes of pretence and deceit”.

The Deputy Governor recalled that he joined the APC in December 2013, alongside other Rivers indigenes who, according to him, had become disillusioned with the political situation at the time.

He said his decision to join the party was largely influenced by his loyalty to his then political boss and friend, but added that his perception of the APC had changed considerably since then.

“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,” Ikuru said.

He claimed that his efforts to identify with the party had increasingly conflicted with his personal convictions and his understanding of the interests of Rivers State.

“The more I struggle to belong, the more the Rivers man in me rejects the APC,” he said.

Ikuru alleged that his interactions with the party’s leadership had convinced him that the APC was not the political platform he initially believed it to be.

After what he described as a careful study and assessment of the party, he accused the APC of being driven by what he termed “pretence and deceit”.

He further alleged that the party relied on what he described as “unholy propaganda and falsehood”.

The Deputy Governor subsequently announced his resignation from the APC, saying the decision was being taken alongside his supporters.

“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,” he declared.

Ikuru also framed his defection within the broader political interests of Rivers State, particularly the relationship between the state and President Goodluck Jonathan, who was seeking re-election at the time.

He argued that Rivers people should be mindful of how history would judge their political decisions, particularly given Jonathan’s emergence as the first Nigerian President from the Niger Delta region.

Ikuru said he could not support what he described as efforts to “witch hunt” or “hound down” the President, whom he said had emerged from the region by providence.

“I wash my hands off this treachery,” he declared.
Having announced his departure from the APC, Ikuru urged his supporters and other Rivers residents to support Jonathan and the PDP in the elections.

He called on Rivers voters to back Jonathan, describing the administration’s Transformation Agenda as having brought what he termed “relief and succour” to a large number of Nigerians.

Ikuru also endorsed Chief Nyesom Wike, urging Rivers voters to support him in the governorship election.

According to the Deputy Governor, Wike’s antecedents, track record and political experience demonstrated his capacity to provide what he described as good governance for the people of Rivers State.

The defection places Ikuru firmly within the PDP camp as the political contest in Rivers State intensifies, with the move expected to generate further reactions from both parties.

The speech was attributed to Engr. Tele Ikuru, with the full text originally published by Pearl.com.ng.