Former Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori on Sunday said rumours going round on social media that he is planning to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), is an expensive propaganda by some APC members to mislead Nigerians.
After the defection of the immediate past governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, who is a cousin to Chief Ibori, rumours have been going round that Chief Ibori has concluded plans to join his cousin in the APC.
But in statement by Ibori’s Aide on Special Duties, Hon Paul Owumi and made available to newsmen in Warri, he debunked the news, stating that, “Chief James Onanefe Ibori is PDP personified.”
He described the news as an expensive propaganda being prddled by members of APC to mislead Deltans, Nigerians and the world at large for whatever reason behind their motive.
He added that, “just as blood cannot be separated from the heart and expect life in the body, the Odidigborigbo of Africa remain the home of PDP as a founding father.”
Owumi cautioned APC’s propagandists to tread cautiously in their manner of campaign, maintaining that, the rumour of Chief Ibori’s planned defection is laughable.
He noted that, they were surprised like every other hearer or readers of the concocted news when people in their numbers started putting calls through and sending text messages to his Boss on a matter that is nowhere near Odidigborigbo’s desk.
When asked if Chief James Onanefe Ibori was behind Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan’s defection to APC, he said, “Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan is a matured man who cannot be spoon fed by anyone, not even His Excellency; Chief James Onanefe Ibori.”
“As a mature politician and Nigerian citizen, he has his right of freedom of association. Dr Uduaghan’s defection to APC is his sole decision and from us, we wish him well. PDP is a house built by Chief Ibori in collaboration with others.
“Anyone who did not join in building a house can vacate it for the builders. But to us and His Excellency; Chief James Onanefe Ibori, we remain gidigbah in PDP,” Owumi added.
Also reacting to the rumour, a Delta PDP chieftain and a close ally of Chief Ibori, Chief Champion Kpatege told our correspondent in Warri that he is in touch with Chief James Onanefe Ibori and that the rumour about his planned defection is not true.
“I can authoritatively assure you that, the owner of a house does not vacate it for strangers. The rumour is a mere propaganda,” Kpatege said.
Francis Sadhere, Warri
