CALABAR–People’s Democratic Party in Yakurr Local Government Area on Friday Metamophorsed into All Progressive Congress (APC) in a grand style at Saint Peter’s Catholic Field, Ugep. Not fewer than 23,000 PDP members in Yakurr Local Government Area officially defected with their Political leaders.
The New APC members were welcomed into the Party by the energetic State Women Leader, Mrs Esther Bepeh who represented the Acting Caretaker State Chairman, Senator Mathew Mbu Jr said the party was happy to have His Excellency Senator Prof Ben Ayade in their fold which will go along way to attract more urgent development to the State. She disclosed that the advent of PDP members to the progressive fold will go along way to unify the entire Yakurr Political abode.
“The people you see today defecting are same person’s who have been winning elections for PDP before now, but have decided to follow Governor Ayade to APC because of the way he was treated in the PDP,” Commissioner for Lands, Prof John Inyang said.
“We are here with more than 23,000 people to decamp to APC from PDP. This is the only man that can do what we the people want. No more wise men syndrome; no more personalization of Cross River State politics. We are here to work for the APC.”
Leading the decampees in Yakurr, the Council Chairman, Hon Ofem Obeten appeal to Yakurr people to continue supporting the governor as he meant well for the growth of the State. “You people did it for me before and made me a chairman. I am not decamping alone but decamping with you all from the PDP to the APC”.
Receiving the defecting PDP members, Former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani, said all what the PDP Government did for more than 16 years have not brought any value to governance in the area.
“Governor Ayade has done well across all sectors of the state. With your support, he will continue the good work of development which has continued to transform the lives of the people,” he said.
Dr Ibiang Oden Ewa, a Chieftain of All Progressive Congress in Yakurr joined other leaders of the party to welcome the PDP members.
“Today is a remarkable day and I want to welcome you to this great party, which is for all Nigerians. “We believe that this party will make all of us proud. The party believes in the rule of law. “It believes things should be done well and believes in all Nigerians.
“Your defection to APC shows that this party is the best for Cross River State and Nigeria.
“We are growing stronger and stronger everyday and our growth will be felt in the 2023 general elections,” he said.
Chief Akin Rickett, Former Commissioner of Information and Board Chairman of NPA in his address admonished the new APC members to quickly acclimatise with the old members and the party constitution for Justice and equity which form the basic part of internal party democracy.
The Former Presidential Aide, Chief Okoi Obono Obla disclosed that the APC have taken over Yakurr nation as doors are still wide open for new members to the family.
“Our doors are open to all members of PDP who want to join us. We expect some PDP members, who really are willing to join us in developing Cross River State to do so.
“Many of them have been showing interest and we are prepared to register them from the PDP to the APC. We are happy to accept you into the progressives,” Obla said.
Obla said the APC leadership was executing a plan to cause needless division and tension in the State. He thanked the people for their support, and promised that the defectors would be given equal rights as others.
You can see the level of industrialization in Cross River State and the quality of leadership provided by the governor. I am here because the APC is the place to be. APC is a Yakurr party; said Prof Godwin Igile.
Earlier Speaking, the Speaker of Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Eteng Jones Williams revealed that APC will cruise to seamless victory going forward. He added that APC will be a dominant force in Cross River State because it has the interest of the people at heart.
He urged all members of Yakurr APC to join in the building of the party while insisting that members should not be disturbed by some people in the state who are still practising outdated politics and seating on the fence syndrome.
