The much-expected defection of Tele Ikuru, deputy governor to Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has happened. The deputy governor has defected to the rival Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He also announced his resignation from the state government.
Ikuru is related to Uche Secondus, one-time state chairman of the PDP, now a national vice chairman, and has been his nominee as deputy to Amaechi, Celestine Omehia and back to Amaechi. Defecting, Ikuru said he just found out that “APC was a party of rebels, insurgents and anarchists, clothed in robes of pretense and deceit. APC is a party founded on deception and it thrives on unholy propaganda and falsehood”.
He said he now supports President Goodluck Jonathan and Nyesom Wike to win the coming elections. Reacting, the Rivers State government said Gov Amaechi was just learning about the defection, saying he has not received the letter of resignation.
The governor however noted that the reasons adduced by Ikuru were shocking as the deputy governor had consistently been the one driving political activities in his local government area of Andoni. “He has also been the second in command driving politics and governance in Rivers state”. A statement by the commissioner of information, Ibim Semenitari said; “It is however regrettable that Ikuru has chosen the dishonourable path of bare-faced lies and name calling rather than the more honourable path of simply retracing his steps to where he has always been”.
