Senator Matthew Uroghide, who served two terms representing Edo South, alongside several other politicians, officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at a ceremony held in Benin City on Saturday.
His return to the APC marks the conclusion of what he described as a 13-year-three-month journey with the PDP. Senator Uroghide, considering himself a founding member of the APC, expressed his satisfaction in rejoining a party of seasoned politicians, in whose leadership he has trust and confidence.
Senator Uroghide assured the APC of his dedication to contributing to the party’s growth and supporting its candidates in the upcoming 2024 Edo governorship election.
The event witnessed the formal welcome of other defectors from the PDP to the APC, including former House of Representatives clerk and 2023 Owan Federal Constituency election contender, Patrick Giwa, as well as eight local government chairmen, among them Frank Ilaboya of Owan West Local Government Area.
The presence of top APC leaders, including Senator Adams Oshiomhole and state executives, underscored the significance of the occasion.
During the ceremony, Oshiomhole publicly acknowledged and apologized to Senator Uroghide for a previous error in judgment, expressing regret for favoring another aspirant over him. He warmly welcomed Senator Uroghide back into the APC fold, lauding his resilience and resourcefulness in politics.
In a significant gesture of trust and recognition, Oshiomhole nominated Senator Uroghide as the director-general for the APC’s upcoming Edo State governorship election campaign team, a responsibility which the former lawmaker graciously accepted.
