Edo businessman and politician, Barrister Kenneth Imansuangbon, has described the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the only alternative political party to rescue Nigeria from its present ‘pitiable state.’

Imansuangbon spoke on Wednesday at the party secretariat in Benin when he was formally handed the party card by the chairman of the ADC in Edo State, Comrade Kennedy Odion.

Imansuangbon, who was a Labour Party governorship aspirant in the 2024 election in Edo State, said he saw the Labour Party as rescuer but unfortunately turned to be a sharm, stressing that ADC is in tandem with his belief as a person who has the common man in heart.

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He said: “Me, I have found an alternative. I have found a credible vehicle. An alternative that is genuinely for change. An alternative that wants to reduce the price of food. An alternative that loves the common man. An alternative that loves the Okada rider. An alternative that loves the widow. An alternative that loves the students. That alternative is ADC.

“Therefore, I call on all well meaning Nigerians to join the moving train. We have decided today to rescue our dear country. This is the vehicle. There is no other train.”

Imansuangbon, who lamented that due to the harsh economic in the country he can no longer distribute rice to Edo people particularly the less privileged as he used to do during Christmas, lamented further: “I’m tired, very tired that a bag of rice that was sold at ₦7,500 some years ago is now being sold for over a ₦100,000. Me, Riceman, I’m tired. I can no longer buy rice to share to the poor people of Edo State. I can no longer share rice to the widow of Edo State. I’m really tired.

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“I’m tired because I can no longer buy fuel. Some years ago, fuel was ₦65 per litre, today it’s ₦1000. Nigerians are tired.

“We are tired that our children will graduate, but no work.”

Earlier, the state party chairman, Comrade Kennedy Odion, while describing Imansuangbon as a man of the people, said the ADC, being a moving train, has provided a platform for every Nigerian with the aim of rescuing the country.

Odion, who said the road to rescue Nigeria may be rough but shall surely be a reality, asserted that Nigerians will soon experience a massive exodus to the party.

Two Senators from Akwa Ibom State have dumped the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and joined the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The Senators are Sampson Ekong, senator representing Akwa Ibom south, and Aniekan Bassey, the Akwa Ibom north-east.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio read their letters of defection during Wednesday’s plenary.

DAILY POST reports that there has been gale of defection from PDP to the ruling APC.

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While several political bigwigs dumped the party for the African Democratic Congress, ADC, others have found solace in the APC.

The two Akwa Ibom Senators, according to the letters read by Akpabio, cited the leadership crisis rocking the PDP as their reasons for rejecting the party.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has thrown his weight behind Edo State Governor, Monday Okpehbolo, over his comments directed at the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Speaking at the inauguration of the New Edo Line Transport Service in Benin City, the Edo State capital, on Tuesday, Wike advised Nigerian politicians to avoid politicising security and governance issues.

Recall that Okpebholo, while addressing supporters at a rally in Benin City on Friday, warned Obi to obtain security clearance before visiting the state.

Okpebholo further claimed that the last time Obi visited the state and made a donation of N15 million to a nursing school in the state, there was unrest in the state, leading to the death of at least four people.

READ ALSO:‘If Obi Likes, He Should Take My Advice,’ Okpebholo Insist On Security Clearance

“If Peter Obi wants to come here, he should seek proper security clearance. We cannot guarantee his safety otherwise, if anything happens to him here, he will have himself to blame. I’m not joking,” he had said.

Wike said Okpehbolo was right to insist on prior notice from visiting political figures for security reasons, adding that the governor’s stance was in the best interest of public safety.

The ex-Governor of Rivers State said, “All I am saying is, if you are coming, tell me because I am here to protect you.

“You didn’t say, ‘Don’t come.’ But people play politics. They give people money to go on television and twist facts.”

Wike warned that in a politically charged atmosphere, mischief makers could exploit situations to cause harm and blame innocent leaders.

READ ALSO:‘His Security Is Not Guaranteed,’ Okpehbolo Warns Obi Not To Come To Edo Without Informing Him

“Some people can harm anybody and then accuse the governor of being responsible because he knows a coalition member is coming. So governor, you are right,” he said.

Wike also took aim at what he described as “political theatrics” by the former Anambra governor, criticising the trend of publicity stunts to sway public opinion.

“This is not where a presidential candidate will be carrying food to serve. And Nigerians will say, ‘Oh, humble.’ Who told you that is humility? When he was governor, was he serving food? No!” he queried.

Wike further dismissed populist campaign promises by Obi, such as pledges to fly on commercial planes if elected president, describing them as deceitful.

READ ALSO:Okpebholo Must Apologise For Threatening Peter Obi – Rights Group

“You think he’s telling you the truth? Nigerians, you like people who play you. You don’t like those who tell you the simple truth,” he added.

Encouraging Okpehbolo to remain resolute, Wike said criticism is inevitable for leaders who take bold decisions.

“If they don’t talk about you, then you are not a governor. Every day I wake up, and nothing is said about me, I say something is wrong. So, don’t put yourself down. Stand firm in any decision you have taken,” he advised.

The minister stated that the ultimate measure of leadership is grassroots backing.

“What is important is, do you have the support of your people? Yes. Once you have that, go ahead,” Wike said.