By Ife Osemedua
365Daily – Senator Stella Oduah, has said that her decision to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), was made “clear-eyed”, in the interest of her state, Anambra.
The Senator who represents Anambra North Senatorial District in the Senate, on Thursday, August 26, 2021, formally dumped her former party to join the APC after weeks of rumours of her political calculations.
According to her, in spite of her hard work and dedication to the PDP, “recent events have exposed the party’s ideological stance to be at variance with mine. In the midst of this, I took each issue one at a time and exercised independent judgment to do what I thought was best for Anambra and the nation at large.”
She said the decision to leave the PDP came after many sleepless nights and serious deliberations with relevant stakeholders in and outside the state.
In a statement she personally signed on Friday, August 27,2021, she said, “I am making this decision because my commitment to our state and our country is always at the forefront of my political ideology.
“Many of you are aware of my political journey over the years and of contributions to the PDP. I have been working extremely hard for the party, for its candidates and for the ideals of the party.
“As political gridlock dominates the news, it has become increasingly clear that in order to effect change you have to be part of the discussion and not on the outside looking in. I believe that a change in political culture that focuses on poverty alleviation and where the man and woman at the grassroots take center stage is pivotal to growth that cuts across all spheres. It is a culture where the often disregarded poor are important stakeholders and one which I have always advocated.
“My commitment to the betterment of the lot of the common man drives my political resolve. The people of Anambra north did not elect me to be content in the role of loyal opposition, at the expense of their collective interest. The current political climate cannot be ignored or wished away. We cannot make much progress absent of the center. My core values that originally drew me to the PDP have not changed, and will go with me to my new party.
“I now go forward with the goal of bringing development closer to the grassroots under the banner of the APC. Beyond the schism of party differences is the schism of wealth and poverty which I am committed to bridging. I begin this journey with excitement and hope that a new dawn is set to cast its warm light on our tired, battered and bartered land.
“My promise to Anambra people and Nigerians is that I will never falter in my bottom-up approach to economic emancipation. I will continue to address their needs through my politics and projects. Therefore I urge all hands on deck as we push through the uncertainties of these times. Let us be committed to the cause of our great nation, knowing that she is all we have, and we are indebted to her, no matter what political banner we fly.”