Speaking shortly after Ataba’s defection announcement on Saturday, the Chairman of PDP in Okene Local Government Area, Mr. Usman Ahmed Fodio, described the development as “delightful, sensational and a huge boost” for the opposition party.
“It is absolutely a big fish, absolutely delightful and sensational. Today, we have in our fold the leading House of Assembly aspirant who was denied fair treatment in the APC. It truly cannot get better than this,” Fodio stated.
“I warmly welcome Honourable Abdulhameed Ataba Oporo to the PDP family.”
Fodio noted that Ataba’s body language had long shown dissatisfaction within the APC following what many supporters described as an unfair and manipulated selection process.
“It was obvious he was no longer comfortable in the APC after being schemed out of the contest. Now, he can truly feel at home in the PDP a party with structure, popularity and the only vibrant Senator representing Kogi State,” he added.
According to the PDP chairman, the crisis currently rocking the APC in Kogi Central is a clear indication that many party members are unhappy with the imposition of candidates.
“Even after the party announced its anointed candidates, several aspirants still went ahead to purchase nomination forms, which clearly shows there is deep dissatisfaction within the APC ranks,” he said.
Fodio further described Ataba as a highly marketable candidate with strong grassroots support across Okene Local Government Area.
“Oporo is a saleable candidate, widely accepted by the masses and comes from the largest ward in Okene LGA. His entrance into PDP is a major political gain for us.”
He revealed that several opposition parties had made efforts to woo Ataba, but he ultimately chose the PDP as his political destination.
His candidacy, according to supporters, is widely welcomed across the entire Okene Local Government Area and not just in Okene I constituency. They insist that the era of imposing unpopular candidates and manipulating the electoral process to favour preferred individuals is over, stressing that the people are now determined to support credible and grassroots-oriented leaders who genuinely represent their interests and aspirations.
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