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By Emmanuel Sunday
Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Port Harcourt Constituency 2 seat in the House of Representatives, Sir Collyns Owhondah, has dumped his party for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Addressing journalists in Port Harcourt on Thursday, Owhondah said he has also dropped his interest in participating in the National Assembly supplementary election scheduled for Saturday, April 15.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had announced April 15, 2023 as date for supplementary elections for two House of Representatives seats in Rivers State, which are Port Harcourt Constituency 2, and Gokana/Khana federal constituency, after declaring them inconclusive during the February 25, 2023 National Assembly elections over alleged irregularities.
The former APC chieftain in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, said he joined the PDP because the party is “focused and very serious to win elections.”
He noted that the APC in Rivers State has never been serious for any elections in the state and had no strategy in place for winning the polls, but waits to fail and blame INEC and security agencies for their woes.
Owhondah regretted that the leadership of the APC in the state is careless about the success of the party at the grassroots, adding that he has been spending for the party in Port Harcourt City local government area from his pocket.
According to him, “After the results of the National Assembly elections in Port Harcourt Constituency 2 was cancelled, my former party, APC never took interest in what was happening. I was sued to court, PDP was also sued to court. PDP is represented at the court but the APC has never cared one day to call me to know what is happening.
“The truth is simple, my former party APC has never been serious in any election,” he said.
He advised the APC governorship candidate in the just concluded 2023 elections in the state, Pastor Tonye Cole to stop being deceived by those urging him to challenge the outcome of the election at the tribunal, adding that they will not support him financially.
Reacting to the announcement of his suspension by leadership of the APC in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Owhondah described the action as inconsequential, stressing that he is no longer a member and so cannot be suspended.
“My former party believes in propaganda and running down anyone who has a different idea with them. Once you leave the party they forget everything you have done for them. I have tried my best in the party and I have spent my money in the party. Let anybody come and tell me that he assisted me to run the APC here.
“I have informed them officially that I have left APC for PDP, so suspending me is of zero consequence.”
