Tongues are wagging in political circles in Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo State following indications that a former Ward One Councillor, Hon. Ogini Kings Topa, is set to pitch his tent with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
As part of moves to perfect his purported defection plan, Ogini was said to have held a closed-door meeting with the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa, a development that has further fuelled speculations of his imminent switch.
Sources close to the development disclosed that Ogini, popularly referred to as the “Governor Ward One” was a known political ally of the former Deputy Governor, Omobayo Marvellous, before the recent realignments in the state’s political landscape.
The former councillor, an Entrepreneur, was also said to have commenced wide consultations with key leaders of the APC in Akoko Edo, apparently to smoothen his formal re-entry into the party and consolidate support ahead of his defection.
A party source who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed that arrangements were already on top gear to receive Ogini back into the APC, describing the move as strategic and mutually beneficial to the party.
According to the source, “I can confidently tell you that Hon. Ogini will join us again in the APC. This, you can take to the bank. His interest is to join the SHINE agenda of Governor Monday Okpebholo to bring development to every nook and cranny of Edo State.”
Political observers in the area believe that Ogini’s defection, if completed, could further strengthen the APC’s foothold in Akoko Edo, especially at the grassroots level, where he is believed to command significant influence.
