gubernatorial aspirant of the All Progressives
Congress (APC), and one-time National Publicity
Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP), Mr. Venatius Ikem on Sunday in Obudu
defected back to the PDP.
Ikem who was received by Governor Ben Ayade
with thousands of supporters and some
chieftains of the Social Democratic Party said
the APC in Cross River has been “depleted
irrepairably.”

“Each time I see PDP people I frown, they think
that I am still angry with them and I say, why are
you filling my space? Leave me to fill the space
so that you know there was APC and I know that
I have the capacity to collapse it, we have done
so today,” Ikem said.

The returnee who said he adds value wherever
he finds himself noted that “we will do more than
collapsing APC in Obudu, as I come, I come with
my full heart with everything I have and I will
work for Ayade unconditionally.”

On reasons why he is returning to PDP after
three years of romance with the APC, Ikem said:
“The party I ran to has proven to me to be worse
than I experienced in PDP,” adding that: “my
anger was maltreatment and I was getting worse
than I got where I was, so, I told myself, let me
go back to my house.”

Continuing, Ikem who is a one time gubernatorial
aspirant of the PDP and former state
Commissioner for Works maintained that: “I
believe that we must constantly add value
wherever we find ourselves and fill the gap
wherever we find one. To me, that is the only
thing I can do for you as I have no money or any
other special thing to do for you during the
campaign.”

Speaking specifically to Ayade, Ikem said: “I
know the resistance you may face or have, we
can muster and harness them to add value for
your return as the governor as we hope that with
us together, you will continue to represent us
well.”
Receiving the defectors, state PDP chairman
who was represented by the State Legal Adviser,
Mr. Pius Awah said Ikem’s return to the PDP, “is
a great occasion for us because one of our sons
whom we thought was lost has come home. We
welcome him and his supporters and promise
that none will be marginalized.”
Deputy Governor, Professor Ivara Esu, in his
remarks, described Governor Ayade as one who
does not go to bed even when he is the one
offended, pointing out that “only a few people
act like that in this world.”
Insisting that there was no other gubernatorial
candidate in the state for 2019, Esu charged the
returnee and his supporters to support the return
of Ayade and never allow anybody to distract
them again but do well to bring back all who left
with them so that everyone will sleep well.
Responding, Governor Ayade described Ikem as
one who adds value, brings capacity, intellect
and a loyal person, adding that; “this is
somebody who can fight, can give his right eye
to defend Ayade once he is committed to a
cause. He doesn’t double speak and I respect
him for that. If he is not with you he is not with
you.”
Continuing, Ayade said: “A very good politician
will first select those he doesn’t need as
enemies before making friends. I am very smart
and when I see a smart person I know him, Vena
Ikem is one and truly he is going to bring value.”
Earlier, a former Legal Adviser of APC, Comrade
Emmanuel Asinde and Godwin Azuoka who
spoke for the returned youths, in their separate
remarks, reaffirmed their support to work for the
interest of PDP, enjoining party faithful not to
molest or suppress them for testing the waters
of another party.

Apc must go let party with economic acumen get's this country working again.

Seun,lala, mynd44

typical Nigerian politician ,no shame and honour.