By Anne Azuka
Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Delta State Chapter, Chief Solomon Arenyeka has said the party was not afraid of defectors because founding members play politics of ideology.
Arenyeka stated this when the executives and some members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ),
Asaba Correspondents Chapel paid him a courtesy visit at the PDP Secretariat, Asaba.
He said that as the state party chairman, all machineries had been put in place to take care of defectors out of and into the PDP.
He said that as a party, they were not too bothered but would do all that was necessary to ensure that the party retains its pride of place in the state; because as people were leaving, more were coming into the party.
According to Arenyeka, those who remained in the PDP these years in spite of all adds, play politics of ideology and development which is evident in the almost two years of the Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori led-administration.
He however, said that it was not time for politics as the governor was concentrating on governance, adding that when the time for politics comes, its doors would be open and logistics provided to meet the exigencies.
He noted that defection started long ago but the unique thing was that the party they had defected to, particularly the All Progressives Congress (APC), majority of the members were from the PDP.
He queried why anyone could abandoned a house he or she had built for many years.
“I have gone through your speech and there you raised some points and they are source of concerns not just for the media interests, but for the success of our party.
“Let me put it on record that there is no party without crisis because politics is of interest; interest for services, some genuine while some are not genuine.
“We have seen defections in the party, but I make bold to say that as a party in this state, we are not afraid of defections,” he said.
According to him, these defectors today occupy certain positions in their new parties.
“But what they could not do right when they were in the PDP many years, I do not see what they have to tell the people of Delta that they want to do right between now and 2027.
“We who are the stronger and founding members of the PDP and with the genuine interest of the party since its formation in the state since 1999;
“We will remain to salvage whatever that is remaining in the party to ensure that in 2027, PDP will still maintain its lead in Delta state.
He lauded the media as partners in development and nation building, adding that no organisation, party or government could succeed without the media.
He said, ” there is no way a party or government can function effectively without the press. As the fourth estate of the realm, the press is partner in progress.
“I want to promise you that my administration as the party chairman, we will always close all gaps between the party and the media.
Earlier, the Chairman, Asaba Correspondents’ Chapel, Comrade Ifeanyi Olannye has urged the PDP Chairman to keep an open door to enable journalists have access to information without hitches.
He said, ” As partners, we expect you to work closely with us to ensure a seamless communication flow in order to avoid misrepresentation in line with our mandate of balancing of reports before going to press.
“While congratulating you on your well deserved but tasking appointment, this visit is to deepen our partnership with the party as gate keepers and the fourth estate of the realm.
“With the wind of defections here and there and given the claims for the drifts, we are not unmindful of the task ahead to keep pace with development trajectory, particularly on your efforts to maintain and sustain the party structure and to wield members together ahead of 2027 in line with the Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori philosophy of M.O.R.E. Agenda.
“We, however, express shock at the deepening crisis and chaos in your party, more so now that the PDP has lost all three senatorial”, he added.
