A gale of defection on Saturday hit the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Labour Party (LP) with hundreds of their supporters pledging allegiance to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the Ward to Ward Campaign Train of Asue/Ogie stormed Ovia South West Local Government.

The campaign at wards 5 and 6 comprising of Udo and Ora which was held at the Ezoti Primary School, Udo, witnessed the mass defection led by the duo of Roland Ohenhen and Ovie Ighofose. While Ohenhen led the defectors from the labour party, Ighofose led the defectors from the APC.

They hinged their action on the need to vote for an individual who has the competence, capacity and character and compassion to move the state forward and not a puppet who would be led by the nose and told what to do before doing it.

The massive crowd at the Ezoti Primary School sang and danced in jubilation as the PDP gubernatorial candidate Dr. Asue Ighodalo on behalf of the state PDP symbolically handed umbrellas to the leaders of the defectors, assuring them all of equal treatment and equal opportunities in the PDP.

The joyous supporters donning branded T-Shirts and and fez caps and clutching their umbrellas turned the arena to a carnival as they danced to high rhythm of Asue/Ogie songs blaring loudly from mounted heavy speakers on trucks.

Addressing the mammoth crowd, Ighodalo expressed happiness and gratitude that they were able to find time to come out in spite of many commitments. He said that they loved him and his running mate, Barr Osarodion Ogie Esq. He assured them that he loved them too and that the two of them will work assiduously to ensure that Edo State does not go backwards.

Ighodalo then surprised the teeming crowd when he announced that he is a ‘son of the soil and happy to return home’. He explained that for eleven years he was a director at Okomu Oil until December last year, and that he facilitated the employment of many able bodied men from the the local government area into the company. His speech was greeted with a huge round of applause. He further heaped praises on the men working in the company for making Edo State proud because the company is one of the best in Africa.

Speaking still, he commended the women who in the face of hardship and tough times, have continued to hold the family together by the dexterous management skills. The women responded with a long applause. He then promised to ensure that, if elected, the road to Iguobazuwa would be completed and any other ongoing project also completed.