‘Why Edo Commissioner Dumped APC For PDP’

Denis Idahosa-PDPMore facts have emerged why the Edo State Commissioner for Investment and Public/Private Partnership, Denis Idahosa, dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the weekend.

It was learnt that he defected to pre-empt his removal from the State Executive Council by Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

Sources said that the commissioner had been under probe by an administrative panel, following various petitions against him by stakeholders.

The governor, who has been bombarded with complaints about Idahosa’s activities, gave the committee the go ahead to investigate the complaints to clear the name of his administration and reiterate its commitment to transparency, probity and due process.

Speaking at a PDP rally in Ovia Local Government Area at the weekend, the erstwhile commissioner, who was received into the PDP by the state chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, explained that he defected from the APC because of the incessant abuse of President Goodluck Jonathan by Oshiomhole.

Idahosa also claimed that some commissioners will follow suit ahead of the elections next month.

He also promised to mobilise for the president’s re-election bid in Edo State.

However, speaking with The Nation on Saturday, a source disclosed that Idahosa jumped ship to avoid being sacked from the cabinet by the governor, who was unhappy by the finddings of the committee.

A source said, “The commissioner was being investigated by the government. Many have complained about his activities in their petitions. You know, the commissioner was in Canada before.

“The governor set up an administrative committee to investigate him and when the report came, he was not happy about the findings.

“Besides, the commissioner is also being investigated by the anti-graft agency over the petition. His new party, the PDP, is also aware of the investigation. He may have decided to seek refuge in the PDP.

“You know we have a no-nonsense governor here. The commissioner knew that he was about to be removed. Therefore, he decided to quit to avoid an imminent disgrace”.

The source further disclosed that Gov. Oshiomhole has been under pressure to sack idahosa based on the allegation of poor performance by stakeholders.

“Many have alerted the governor to the danger of keeping a mole or a double agent in the cabinet and the APC. The result of that was his defection on Friday”.