Hon. Ogini Kingsley Topa, a well-known grassroots mobiliser within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, has officially joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the upcoming governorship election slated for September 21, 2024.

Widely recognized as the ‘ward 1 governor,’ Topa previously served as the chairman of the committee for works and housing in the local government area.

In his statement yesterday, Topa cited his decision to leave the opposition APC as a move to throw his support behind Governor Godwin Obaseki’s developmental initiatives.

He particularly commended Governor Obaseki for appointing Marvellous Omobayo, a native of Akoko-Edo, as the deputy governor, describing it as a clear indication of Obaseki’s commitment to addressing the political marginalization experienced by the people of Akoko-Edo, despite being the largest council in the state.

Topa emphasized the need to prioritize developmental politics over partisan interests, highlighting Obaseki’s track record as a liberator of the oppressed and marginalized in the state.

Expressing his optimism for the future, Topa urged all indigenes of Akoko-Edo and residents of Edo State to unite under the PDP led by Governor Obaseki. He rallied support for the candidacy of Asue Ighodalo, affirming that Akoko-Edo is PDP and PDP is Akoko-Edo.