Edo APC stronger after purge, says Oshiomhole

(Nigeria) Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State on Tuesday, said  that  the All Progressives Congress, APC in the state was not  stronger after some politicians, who it accused of not having the interest of the people at heart decided to excuse themselves from the party.

Speaking at a meeting with leaders of the party in Edo South in Benin, Oshiomhole said: “After the party registration, ward, local, state congresses and national congresses, this is the first meeting we are having with you and I think it is a very important meeting and I am happy that you have come here and there is no struggling at the gate about accreditation or fighting.  It shows how disciplined our leaders are at the grass root level.

"The APC is much stronger now than before because those who are in this party now are people who are here not because of what is in it for them; or what is in it for me and this is what distinguishes this party from others.  People are in this party now because they believe in the ideals of APC. 

"The meeting will be sustained as a means of evaluating the activities of the party at the grassroots and bridge the communication gap among members.”

 He said that the APC government was working assiduously across the state, adding that the state government will not relent in its efforts towards taking the state to the next level.

"Let me re-assure party leaders here this afternoon from the 77 wards of Edo South that the APC government under my watch will continue to work for the people despite the lean financial resources, especially the drop in the Federal Allocation to the state.”

Earlier in his address of welcome, atate Chairman of the party, Mr.  Anselm Ojezua welcomed party leaders from Edo South, saying "The journey to 2015 is about to begin and Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has started the process of the distribution and issuance of the Permanent Voters’ Cards in some parts of the country.

"In  a short time, it will be the turn of Edo State and that is the very first major step towards the General Elections of February, 2015.

“We positioned this aspect of service as the most important because without that PVC, even the registered voters cannot vote hence the Governor has decided to take it upon himself to personally brief you on the importance that we attach to this aspect of our political map,” he said.