The Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Tele Ikuru, has dumped the state’s ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to join the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, reliable sources have told PREMIUM TIMES.
Mr. Ikuru, who was one of Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s major ally, is said to have announced his defection in Port Harcourt, the state capital at about 4 p.m.
The decampee was first elected deputy governor to Celestine Omehia in 2007, before the duo was removed by the Supreme Court less than six months in office. When Mr. Amaechi was sworn in as governor, he retained Mr. Ikuru as his deputy and the duo fought against the interests and allies of the former governor of the state, Peter Odili.
At the time Mr. Amaechi fell out with the leadership of the PDP and defected to the APC with majority of his aides, Mr. Ikuru remained loyal to the governor and fought on the same side.
A source from the Brick House, Port Harcourt, who pleaded not to be named because he is not authorised to speak on the matter, told PREMIUM TIMES, that Mr. Ikuru has left the APC.
“I can tell you that the deputy governor has defected to the PDP. He has already informed the governor about it and may soon address a press conference,” the source said.
Attempts to reach the media aides to the deputy governor failed as they would not pick calls or respond to text messages to their telephones.
Mr. Ikuru’s defection could further polarise the already volatile political situation in Rivers that has pitted loyalists of Mr. Amaechi against those of the PDP governorship candidate, Nyesom Wike, who himself is a former ally to the outgoing governor.
