Ibani’s Defection, No Surprise – Kwanee

The Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Leyii Kwanee has said that Hon. Ikunyi Ibani, the Chief Whip of the Assembly who last weekend at Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area defected to the Grassroots Development Initiative of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Rivers State chapter was due to his entanglement with his political godfather.

Hon. Kwanee who revealed this last Monday at a reception in honour of Dumka Neebani, a product of his grassroots youths sports development scheme who recently went  professional in a Mongolian league in Russia at said those loyal to the state governor were not surprised at the action of the defected lawmaker because of the link with his political godfather.

The Deputy Speaker said that the defection of Ibani was not a surprise as it was long expected since Hon. Ikunyi was a political godson of a top PDP Chieftain in Abuja and amenable to his influence.

Hon. Kwanee hinted that Ibani had all these while resisted pressure because of his conviction but had to defect when it became unbearable.

The Deputy Speaker assured that the rest of the pro-Amaechi lawmakers are intact, saying the defection of Ibani does not matter as the pro Amaechi lawmakers will continue to pursue a genuine cause for the interest of the people of Rivers State and the future.

He described the current situation the lawmaker finds himself as a contemptible, stating that he is in political bondage since he cannot unfasten the string between him and his political godfather.

The Tide learnt that Hon. Ibani was the first Ward Chairman in Ikwuru town and has been loyal to Prince Uche Secondus.

Hon. Ibani, later worked as Personnel Assistant to Chief Desmond Akawor, when he was the Director Technical and Maintenance Services of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) on the recommendation of Prince Uche Secondus.

In 2007, he contested and won the election under the platform of the PDP to become a member of the State House of Assembly. He also recontested for the same position in 2011 and later got appointed by other members to become the Chief  Whip Of The House.

Hon. Abani’s defection has reduced the number of the Pro Amaechi lawmakers to 25, after the death of the former Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tonye harry who was buried last month.