By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye
Over 500 members of the All Progressives Congress APC and Social Democratic Party SDP, today, decamped to the Peoples Democratic Party in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State on when the PDP Campaign train visited Okwagbe and Ovwahwa. 
The decampees pledged their supports to the PDP and promise to vote en masse for all PDP candidates in the local government council election scheduled for July 13, 2024.
Among the defectors are Hon. Lawson Oghourhobo, former Minority Leader of Ughelli South Local Government Council Legislative Arm, Chief Lomu Onojede, former SDP chairman in Jeremi Ward 3, Chief Joseph Avwayekerho, and others.
In their speeches, they expressed their dissatisfaction with the leadership of the APC at the Federal level. They had hoped for better governance when they defected to the APC and SDP in the past, but they have since realized that these parties fall short in delivering the benefits of democracy compared to the PDP. They appealed to be treated equally as existing PDP members and requested not to be victimized as newcomers.
Upon receiving the defectors, Hon. Michael Djegbe Oshetigho, PDP Chairman in Ughelli South Local Government Area, thanked them for their decision to leave their former parties and urged them to join PDP to win the election. 
He reassured them of fair treatment, emphasizing that the party’s umbrella is large enough to accommodate all members, old and new alike.
Earlier, Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, Senior Political Adviser to the Governor, Olorogun Taleb Tebite, Executive Director of Projects at DESOPADEC, and Director General of the campaign, Hon. Festus Utuama, along with Member DTHA and Deputy Director of the Campaign, urged the electorate in the area to cast their votes for Hon. Dr. Lucky Avweromre for the position of council chairman and the four councilors of the wards on July 13, 2024.
In his remarks, Hon. Dr. Lucky Avweromre, the PDP candidate for chairmanship, accompanied by his running mate, Hon. Happiness Umukoro, highlighted his academic background, which includes a degree, a master’s degree, and a PhD in Political Science.
He stated, “In addition to my academic qualifications, I have served as the pioneer leader of the Ughelli South Local Government Council Legislative Arm and have held previous positions such as Deputy Chief of Staff and other appointive roles. As a result, I possess the necessary qualifications and experience to lead effectively.”
He emphasized that his administration aims to bring positive change to the residents of Ughelli South Local Government Area, ensuring that the interests of youths, women, elders, and all constituents are considered.
Avweromre also pledged to provide quality health facilities, collaborate with the federal government on the disbursement of ecological funds to riverine communities, and prioritize the agricultural sector.
Earlier, prominent party leaders in Jeremi Ward 3 and 4, including Chief Edwin Obofukoro, Prof. Godini Darah, Chief Okiemute Oviri, Chief Godwin Okporoko, Chief Matthew Kwode, and Chief Mrs. Regina Ofigho, expressed their dedication to mobilizing ward members to vote overwhelmingly for the PDP in the upcoming local government election on July 13, 2023.
They encouraged the PDP candidate to focus on ensuring the fair distribution of democratic benefits across all communities within the ward, aiming to enhance the current situation for the better.
They called on the visiting party leaders and the PDP Chairmanship Candidate to engage with the state Governor, Rt. Sheriff Oborevwori, to facilitate the construction of roads in their wards and to emphasize the agricultural sector’s development to increase food production in the region.