By Jefferson Ibiwale, Benin

Two chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State, former governor Oserhiemen Osubor, and the party’s candidate in the last governorship election, Idada Ikponmwen, decamped to the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Tuesday.

Osunbor, who was governor of Edo State between May 2007 and November 2008 announced his defection with scores of his supported in Iruekpen in Esan West local government area shortly after Ikponmwen dumped the PDP with his supporters in Benin, the state capital.

Receiving Osunbor and his supporters into the APC fold in Iruekpen, the Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, attributed the defection to the performance of the party in the state.

“I will be working with a respected Professor of Law like you and many of your supporters. We thank God for what he has used us to achieve,” the governor stated.

And in Benin, while announcing his defection, Ikponmwen, a retired Brigadier General and former Provost Marshal of the Nigerian Army, told journalists that his defection was to enable him support the course of genuine democracy as well as work for the progress of the country.

He said that he was happy at the emergence of Muhammadu Buhari, also a retired General, whom he said has the qualities needed in the leader that Nigeria needs at this time in its history.

He described Buhari as “a man of impeccable character, a man who is detribalized, has no tolerance for corruption and who has been maligned.”

“I have left the PDP and I am joining the APC. We want to move forward,” he announced.

“Democracy has had its way. We need to join forces with Buhari who will take Nigeria to the next higher level. I believe that Buhari has all the courage, antecedent to do what is desirable at this point in time. It was right to project Buhari,” he said.

Iponmwen urged the people of the state to vote for all candidates of the APC in Saturday’s House of Assembly election and the rescheduled National Assembly polls.