Former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe has denied dumping the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Orubebe said he remains a member of the PDP despite rumours to the contrary.
A former Chief of Staff to President Jonathan, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe, also denied dumping the PDP for SDP, blaming “mischief makers” for spreading unfounded allegations.
According to The Punch, Orubebe’s spokesman, Gbenga Giwa, said that his principal had not left the PDP although he has nothing against those who wished to do.
Oghiadomhe said, “ For the record , l was never part of any group where a decision was made to dump PDP for SDP. To my great party , the PDP and millions of our members , no one has my mandate to determine or link my name to any political party without my written consent.
“ Whoever must have affiliated my name to any political party other than the PDP does not have my mandate and this should be regarded as the handiwork of mischief makers . My membership and loyalty are to the PDP alone which is my party of choice since its formation.”
Orubebe and Oghiadomhe were said to be among high-profile PDP members who had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the SDP after marathon meetings that started on Thursday and ended on Friday.
According to The Nation, the meeting which held at Sheraton Hotel, Abuja, also saw former Education Minister, Prof. Tunde Adeniran and former Information Minister, Prof. Jerry Gana, leaving the PDP for SDP.
Confirming his move to SDP, Adeniran, who contested and lost the PDP chairmanship seat at the party’s convention, said he left the PDP due to imposition and impunity.