In order to support the All Progressives Congress, Engr. Gideon Ikhine, the Deputy Director General of the Edo State Peoples Democratic Party Campaign Council for Governor Godwin Obaseki’s reelection in 2020, has left the PDP.
Ikhine, who was also a former candidate for governor of the PDP in Edo State, expressed his gratitude for his contributions to the party over the past 24 years in a letter of resignation addressed to the chairman of the PDP Ward 7 (Ukpenu/ Ujolen/ Emuhi) Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government area, dated July 8, 2023, and made available to journalists on Sunday.
“It has been a great honor to contribute to the development and success of this party over the years, with People Democratic Party recording outstanding results from my Ward throughout the 24 years of working with you,’ the letter reads.
“My commitment to the people of Ward 7, Esan-West Local Government, and Edo people remains firm and resolute to keep serving them in another capacity,” he added.
Ikhine gave reasons for leaving the PDP on Sunday, citing the party’s perpetual impasse that pits the Obaseki group against the legacy group as a major factor. He also claimed that it would be challenging to fulfill his desire to serve his community.
He added that he had the vision to bring the state and its citizens out of obscurity and that it would be wrong to remain in the PDP after helping the APC win the previous election and usher in the presidency of Bola Tinubu.
He refuted the assertion that he received $1 million to resign in support of Obaseki in 2019, pointing out that he had backed the governor because he believed Obaseki had a good plan for the state.
Additionally, he mentioned that rumors that the ticket had been zoned to Edo South kept him from leaving the party.
In his own words, “The impasse in the PDP was a major factor for my exit because I don’t feel I can realize my ambition in the state with the Obaseki and the legacy group still at odds. In order to join the APC, I am bringing 30% of the PDP’s membership.
“Due to some injustice and anomaly that were perpetuated in Esan during the last election, I also collaborated with the APC during that process. Thus, my decision to join APC made sense,” he continued.
