By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Former Governor of Ebonyi State, Mr Martin Elechi, has left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Mr Elechi was the immediate past Governor of Ebonyi State and a strong member of the PDP, presently the opposition party battling with leadership tussle.
At a thanksgiving service at a church on Sunday in Abakaliki to mark the recovery of President Muhammadu Buhari from his ill-health during his vacation to London, Mr Elechi told party supporters and leaders that he was joining them majorly because of his affection for Mr Buhari.
He said further that the crisis in his former party also informed his decision to pitch tent with the ruling party.
He thereafter registered for the APC at his country home in Echialike, Ikwo Local Government Area of the state.
“I knew Buhari 49 years ago when I started the movement for the creation of Ebonyi as he intervened during my arrest with nine other comrades, by officers of the defunct Nigerian Security Organisation (NSO).
“I was interrogated while standing for nine hours and he as the Brigade Major in Abakaliki at that time, ordered our immediate release.
“I thank God for his health as he had favoured the people of Abakaliki and will triumph in his onerous task of rescuing the country from misrule,” he said.
“Three years ago, I would have attacked anyone who said Ebonyi belongs to APC, but currently, me identify with PDP? God forbids,” he said.
Adedapo Adesanya