Nigerian Concord Newspaper
A former governorship candidate of All Progressive Congress, Mr. Emmanuel Jime had met with a leader of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi over his planned defection to the opposition coalition party.
This is coming just as Barrister Jime has directed his closest political associate, Mr. Godwin Unum to decamp to ADC where he will be contesting the 2027 Makurdi/Guma House of Representatives election.
Report also has it that he has directed all the members of Jime Youth Vanguard under the leadership of Comrade Albert Utoo to join the African Democratic Congress as well.
Recall that Jime and Amaechi had met privately twice in Abuja and Lagos in the last two months.
Investigation by Nigerian Concord Newspaper confirmed that the meeting which held at the Abuja residence of the former Rivers State governor also had a former governor of Benue State, Senator Gabriel Suswam, and an immediate past member of the House of Representatives from Sankera, Mr. Richard Gbande in attendance.
According to sources at the meeting, Jime openly stated that it’s hard for him to work with Governor Hyacinth Alia in 2027 hence his plan to join the opposition coalition in order to secure his senatorial ambition.
Jime who stated that it’s impossible for him to get the ticket in All Progressive Congress stressed that he that he had directed his followers from Jemgbagh, minda and Ihiarev to defect to ADC ahead of his own coming.
The former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council noted that his followers have already been registered by the acting chairman and secretary of the African Democratic Congress in Benue state.
Corroborating Jime’s claim, Senator Gabriel Suswam told Amaechi and other ADC national leaders at the meeting that he had personally received hundreds of his (Jime) supporters into the opposition coalition in Benue state.
Richard Gbande also confirmed that three of Jime’s former campaign coordinators in Sankera axis have defected to the African Democratic Congress on the order of their principal two weeks ago.
In his reaction, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi lauded Barrister Jime for his efforts to boost the membership of the opposition coalition party in Benue state
Amaechi also assured him that his interest will be protected in the party just like he promised him at their previous meetings in July and August.
The former Rivers State governor however promised to discuss with Alhaji Abubakar Atiku for the release of funds which Jime had requested for in order to move round the state in his quest to harvest members for the African Democratic Congress.