...Chapter Executives, Former Council Chairman, Party Stalwarts, Thousands of Members Dump Party

In what political pundits may describe as total collapse of the All Progressives Congress structure in Essien Udim Local government area, the APC executives including the Chapter Chairman, Financial Secretary, Organizing secretary, ward chairmen and executives who were elected but later dislodged by Senator Godswill Akpabio, unit coordinators among other stalwarts of the party and the Pioneer Executive Chairman of Essien Udim Local Government Area with thousands of members have defected from the All Progressives Congress into the Peoples Democratic Party.

The grand defection which took place, today, Tuesday at Essien Udim Unity Hall, Essien Udim Local Government Area, Senator Godswill Akpabio's hometown witnessed the presence of the Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo, Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Sir Monday Uko, Commissioner for Investment, Commerce and Industry, Prince Ukpong Akpabio, Political godfather of Senator Godswill Akpabio, Chief Michael Afanideh among other stakeholders who were at hand to receive the defectors into the Peoples Democratic Party.

According to the defectors, they left the party because glory has departed from her and it has become a haven of violence and terror.

In his remark, the defected Chapter Chairman of APC, Pastor Kayeobong described himself as a mobilizer whose departure from the APC has collapsed the party even as he is determined to work for the success of Governor Udom Emmanuel at the polls.

He said "I am leaving with my nine Ward chairmen, 24 chapter executives and all ward executives. The APC offered me N30million and a Hilux car to stay but I have made up my mind to work for governor Udom".

On his part, the Financial Secretary of the party, Basil Akpadiaha, who hails from Akpabio's ward, Ukana West, Ward 2 stated that he left the party because of oppression in the party. He said that with the defection, APC has lost grounds in Essien Udim.

On the part of the Organizing Secretary, Innocent Idiong, he said " our decision is to return Governor Udom Emmanuel. He is the only governor that uses the deputy governor for first and second term, a pointer to the fact that he doesn't oppress anyone and he is a man of peace who give others opportunity to thrive. But unfortunately, there are people whose defection into the APC made everyone running.".

Also speaking, the Pioneer Chairman of Essien Udim, Chief Martin Umana said with his defection, he and his supporters are focused on working for the reelection of Governor Udom Emmanuel at the polls.

Receiving the defectors into the party, the Chapter Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Hon Etiedo noted that he was delighted by the fact that day by day, the camp of the PDP is swelling unprecedentedly.

The Chairman who described the defectors into the party as grassroots mobilizers noted that their entrance into the party will ease his workload and ensure the victory of Governor Udom Emmanuel among other PDP candidates in Essien Udim.

He advised Essien Udim people to maintain their stance with the PDP since it is the only party with better policies and programmes for the people.

On his part, the Commissioner for Investment, Commerce and Industry, Prince Ukpong Akpabio stated that he is a leading supporter for Governor Udom Emmanuel in Essien Udim and is determined to work with PDP members to ensure the Governor wins convincingly in the area.

Akpabio added, "It was former Governor Godswill Akpabio that brought Udom Emmanuel and told us to support his aspiration for eight years, so the people of Essien Udim will always stand with Udom till 2023"

He insisted that the Udom Emmanuel's administration has been fair in the appointment of Essien Udim people into his administration even as the people have enjoyed his administration hence the reason they should be firm in their support.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Youth and Sport, Sir Monday Uko commended the people for their determination to support Governor Emmanuel.

He said the performance and conduct of Governor Emmanuel is enough to earn him a second term.

Uko added " There is no governor in Nigeria that has accorded the level of respect Governor Udom Emmanuel has accorded his predecessor."

In their respective remarks, the political godfather of Senator Godswill Akpabio, Chief Michael Afanideh and the Council Chairman of Essien Udim Local government area said the defection into the PDP was the best decision taken by the defectors.

They assured that the people of the area will stand with other Akwa Ibom people to deliver Governor Emmanuel for second term.

In his address, the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Moses Ekpo thanked the people for coming out enmasse to support PDP and Governor Udom Emmanuel. He assured that the people coming into the party will be glad they did since the PDP offers peace and people oriented leadership.

The Deputy Governor urged the people to support Governor Udom Emmanuel with sincerity of heart and purpose because Governor Emmanuel represents equity,justice and fairness.

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