Two-time senator representing Edo South, Matthew Uroghide, alongside other defectors, officially switched allegiance to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Uroghide made his formal defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC at an event held in Benin City on Saturday.
His return to the APC follows a 13-year-three-month stint in the PDP, as described by the senator himself. Uroghide, identifying as a foundation member of the APC, expressed his satisfaction in rejoining a party of mature politicians, whose leadership he trusts and respects.
Assuring the APC of his commitment, Uroghide pledged to contribute to the party’s growth and support its candidates in the upcoming 2024 Edo governorship election.
Accompanying Uroghide in the defection were other notable figures, including former clerk of the House of Representatives and 2023 Owan Federal Constituency election candidate, Patrick Giwa. Additionally, eight local government chairmen, including Frank Ilaboya of Owan West Local Government Area, joined the APC.
The defection event was graced by prominent APC leaders such as Senator Adams Oshiomhole and the state executive committee. Oshiomhole, acknowledging past misjudgments, apologized to Senator Uroghide and welcomed him back to the party fold.
Describing Uroghide as a robust, resourceful, and tenacious politician, Oshiomhole expressed confidence in his wealth of experience bolstering the party’s prospects of success. As a gesture of trust and recognition, Oshiomhole nominated Uroghide as the party’s director general for the upcoming Edo State governorship election campaign team, a role Uroghide graciously accepted.