Rivers State Deputy Governor Tele Ikuru has defected to
the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) from the All
Progressives Congress ( APC ) .
Ikuru declared his defection yesterday, six days to the
general elections .
In a statement titled “A call on the conscience of the
people of Rivers State ”, the deputy governor said : “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 .”
He described the APC as a party of rebels , insurgents
and anarchists .
Ikuru said his decision was centred on the fact that he
would not want to be listed as part of a generation that
would witch hunt and hound down the very first ever
President from the region , apparently referring to the
incumbent President seeking re- election in the
presidential election that will hold on March 28.
“I wash my hands of this treachery and in the light of
the above , I wish to urge all my supporters , the good
people of Rivers State to join hands with other well-
meaning Nigerians to massively vote for President
Goodluck Jonathan and the Transformation Agenda that
has brought so much relief and succour to the greatest
number of Nigerians .
“I also urge all Rivers people to vote for Chief Nyesom
Wike ( CON) , who has shown by his antecedents , track
records and boundless capabilities that he will deliver
good governance to the people of Rivers State .”
Governor Rotimi Amaechi yesterday said Ikuru has
chosen a dishonourable path of bare - faced lies, with his
defection.
Speaking through the Rivers Commissioner for
Information and Communications , Mrs . Ibim Semenitari ,
Amaechi noted that the deputy governor had all along
been romancing with the PDP , and he was not surprised
with the latest development .
Amaechi said : “Governor Amaechi, only this ( yesterday )
evening , received the news of the resignation of his
Deputy Governor, Engr. Tele Ikuru , from the APC . While
the news remains unofficial at this time , as the Deputy
Governor is yet to notify His Excellency , the Governor, of
this move. Governor Amaechi , however , wishes Engr.
Ikuru all the best in his future political endeavours .
“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
and has 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
brother.
“Though the governor had hoped that the numerous
rumours of Engr. Ikuru ’ s double-faced membership of
the APC and open romance with the PDP were not true .
He ( Amaechi ) , 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, retracing his steps to and name calling ,
rather than the more honourable path of simply
retracing his steps to where he has always been .”
Ikuru was deputy for five months to a former Rivers
governor, Sir Celestine Omehia, who was sacked on
October 25, 2007 by the Supreme Court in a landmark
judgment. Amaechi was inaugurated as governor the
next day.
Amaechi , however , decided to retain Ikuru as his deputy
and he recently commended him in public for being very
loyal , stressing that his support and loyalty made him
not to watch his back during the July 9, 2013 crisis in
the Rivers House of Assembly . He expressed optimism
that his deputy would not betray him.
The defecting deputy governor hails from coastal Ikuru
in Andoni Local Government Area, the hometown of his
uncle , political mentor and benefactor , Prince Uche
Secondus, the Deputy National Chairman of the PDP
