Mr Charles Idahosa, a former commissioner for Information in Edo on Tuesday, said Gov. Godwin Obaseki’s disregard for leaders in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led to his exit from the PDP to APC.
Idahosa also resigned as a member of the PDP Board of Trustees.
Speaking with NAN in Benin, the former commissioner said he played a critical role for Obaseki to secure his second term ticket and his subsequent victory at the 2020 governorship election.
Recall that Idahosa had defected to APC from PDP in 2020, saying he could not stand and watch Obaseki being oppressed and badly treated by APC leaders by denying him a return ticket.
“I stood up against former governor Adams Oshomhole, who was then, the APC national chairman, whom I had worked with in various capacities before the 2016 governorship election.
“So, because I saw that Obaseki was being victimised, my supporters and I decided to move with him to the PDP where he eventually secured the ticket and returned as the governor for the second time.
“unfortunately when he came, he wasn’t fair to the people and party leaders that helped him to power.
“He keeps saying that people are angry with him because they wanted him to share state money with them and I have challenged him to mention names of the people so that the whole world will know them.
“So I just got frustrated and left the party because he has not been fair to party leaders and the people that stood for him in 2020 when he had problems in APC, ” Idahosa said.
The former PDP chieftain also added that besides the ill-treatment, the state had not experienced development in the last seven years.
He explained that the projects being counted as achievements were projects executed decades ago which he renovated.
“This government has not done well in all ramifications. The state Secretariat, Ogbe Stadium, which he counts as achievements were built by Dr Samuel Ogbemudia of blessed memory. The structures were only renovated.
“All the promises he made in 2016, he has not fulfilled any. He promised Edo Galegale seaport, he promised to build 18 mini stadiums, Edo North international Airport and Benin-Auchi railway line and may more.
“All these promises have not been fulfilled. Only the civil servants have benefited from this government and I ask, what is the population of the civil servants in the state, very small,” he added.
According to him, the much talked about EdoBEST is for selected schools.
“We contribute money to pay teachers in my local government, Uhunwode.”
According to him, I totally disagree with the policies and programmes of this government so I just left.
“But I have heard people complaining about my leaving the party and I wondered when it became an offense to leave a party.
“There is no law saying you should not move if you are not comfortable where you are. Defection also happens in advanced countries because there is freedom of movement and association.
“My movement will not affect anything because I am a founding member of the APC and the PDP, we just had to leave the party on various occasions we felt mistreated.
“I can tell you that this time, I am not leaving the APC for any other party again. I just feel that after 70 years of age, I need to retire.”
He said he would not contest for elective position because he had held many positions in and outside the state.
“So I have no reason to be afraid to tell the truth ,” Idahosa said.