…as 5,310 PDP members join APC in Ukanafun, Oruk Anam
…Governor’s father-in-law received
Frontline chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Managing Director of the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA), Obong Umana Okon Umana, has described the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as an ailing party which is on life support machine.
Umana, who was the gubernatorial flagbearer of the APC in Akwa Ibom State in 2015, made the declaration at QIC Primary School, Ikot Akpa Nkuk, Ukanafun Local Government Area, when registered members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ukanafun and Oruk Anam Local Government Areas, totalling 5,310, defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The decampees comprising of 12 PDP Chapter Executive Members, former Local Government Transition Commitee Chairmen/ Secretaries, former councillors, ward executives, were received, Friday, by the state chairman of the APC, Hon. Ini Okopido.
Obong Umana said the PDP and Governor Udom Emmanuel have failed to impact positively on the lives of Akwa Ibom people hence the gale of defection from the PDP to the APC.
He hinted that the mass defection is an indication of PDP’s worsening fortunes.
“I am happy with what I’ve witnessed today. I am not surprised because PDP is like a basket which tries to contain water, such basket can never be filled. PDP is on life support machine, it won’t be long before the party dies totally. Defection to the APC is happening all over the state and country, APC will take over power in Akwa Ibom State and hold its place in Nigeria as the ruling party”, Umana stated.
He commended the decampees for “seeing the light and embracing change.”
Governorship candidate of the APC, Obong Nsima Ekere, in his remarks, said the APC remains a formidable and united force ahead of the 2019 elections
Represented by his running mate, Dr. Amadu Attai, Ekere said a peaceful revolution is going on in Akwa Ibom, and urged the “few remaining members of PDP to leave the party before it is too late.”
Decrying the high level of insecurity in the Ukanafun, Ekere promised to create jobs for the teeming youth and develop the area.
He thanked party faithful for the show of solidarity.
In his speech, Chairman, APC Caucus in Akwa Ibom State, Atuekong Don Etiebet, charged the party faithful to “remain committed to the mission of liberating Akwa Ibom from the bad governance offered by Governor Udom Emmanuel.”
He drummed support for President Muhammadu Buhari, Obong Nsima Ekere and all candidates of the APC in the 2019 general elections.
The decampees were presented to the state chairman, Hon. Ini Okopido by the chapter chairmen of Ukanafun and Obot Akara, Comrade Unen Abraham and Elder Toby Anthony.
Among the 5,310 decampees were prominent politicians. In Ukanafun, the topshots include, former Transition Committee Chairmen, Barr. Abasiono Udomfu and Hon. Kufre Umoh, Immediate Past Transition Committee Chairman, Barr. Israel Ideh, former Vice Chairman, Barr. Aniekan Akpan, former councillors and supervisors.
In Oruk Anam, father-in-law of Governor Udom Emmanuel, Mr. Felix Idiong, immediate past Transition Committee Secretary, Hon. Emmanuel Essien, former Council Secretaries, Hon. Mboutidem Akpan and Hon. Nsidibe Asuquo, former councillor, Hon. Imoh Thompson, Aide to Oruk Anam Council Chairman, Mr. Sabbath Idiong, former Ward Chairman, Hon. Okon Jonah, former board member, Pastor Essien Ukpe, former PDP Leader, Pastor Ekere Eshiet, former President, National Association of Oruk Anam Students Worldwide, Comrade Ubong Johnson, and hordes of others dumped the PDP for APC.
Receiving the decampees, state chairman of the APC, Hon. Ini Okopido said the development proves that “PDP has exhausted itself”, that “the only option for every well meaning Akwa Ibom State is to switch from the sinking ship of PDP to the APC.”
He assured them of proper integration into the party.
Okopido promised that Obong Nsima Ekere will “rectify the errors of Udom Emmanuel” if elected as governor of Akwa Ibom State.
Solidarity messages were also offered by Bishop Samuel Akpan, member representing Ukanafun/ Oruk Anam Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ukoette, former member representing Oron Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Esio Oquong, amongst others.
