Mr. Eke Idika, the contentions in Abia State

There is a sharp contention between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in Abia State and the opposition All Progressives Congress over the APC deputy governorship candidate in the state, Mr. Eke Idika, who recently defected to the PDP.

While the APC described Idika as “a floating political jobber without any electoral value,” the PDP said he represented the soul of the APC.

Idika, who declared for the PDP last week at the Umuahia Township Stadium during the PDP women wing presidential rally, had said the decision was informed by his discovery that the PDP had a better agenda for the country.

He said, “I decided to drop the broom because the broom does not sweep well; vacuum cleaner sweeps better. If we need change it must be the right change not just any change.”

But speaking with our correspondent in Umuahia, the APC Chairman in the state, Donatus Nwankpa, described the party’s former running mate as “the biblical Jonah who was offloaded from the ship so that the ship can get to its destination.”

He said Idika’s defection would not affect the victory of the APC but would boost its chances ahead of the polls.

Nwankpa said, “Idika is of no electoral value. We lost nothing.”

He contended that APC had the most credible candidate for the April governorship election in the state, predicting that the party would sweep the polls and end the PDP’s reign in Abia State.

But in a swift reaction, the PDP’s governorship candidate, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, said “Idika is a man of immense electoral value,” adding that his defection was an indication that the APC has expired in the state.