*Leaders, stakeholders of opposition parties decamp in doves
By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
What has been described as a rare movement of solidarity and alliance, played out for the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State as major opposition parties in the state have surrendered their wards, local government areas and state structures to the party.
At Ibom Hall Grounds, venue for the formal reception on Friday, the defectors to PDP, who are from All Progressives Congress (APC), Young Progressives Party (YPP), New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) and other parties, described PDP as a party that has remained united and unshakable since the return of democracy in 1999.
Speaking through thier representatives from the various opposition parties, the defectors also noted the performance of the state governor, Pastor Umo Eno since taking over about nine months ago as another reason that brought them back to PDP, adding “we are back to the PDP to contribute to the sustenance of the PDP winning streak in future elections.”
The speakers include,, a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon Emma Ukoette, former State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mr Nkereuwem Enyongekere, former member of the House of the Assembly, Hon. Mabel Udongwo, Mr Ubong Edem, Mr Kini Ikpeme, Former Transition Chairmen Ukanafun, Hon Udomfu amongst others.
Earlier, the State Chairman of PDP, Rt Hon. Aniekan Akpan in his welcome address, lauded the defectors for deciding to yield to superior reasoning and joining the PDP, noting that the party will continue to keep its doors open for new members and those who had also gone to taste the political waters elsewhere.
“I am very elated to welcome you back to the PDP on behalf of the Leader of our Party in Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno. With your decision to join the PDP today, you have all demonstrated patriotism and rare courage and I stand here to tell you that this demonstration of courage, solidarity and patriotism will be positively recorded in the books of the political history of our dear state.
“We receive you back with open arms and we have instructed the entire structure of our dear Party at the Ward and Local Government levels to completely reintegrate you into the fold of the PDP. The PDP is one happy family and I assure you that you will feel the warmth and coverage of the umbrella at all times” Akpan said.
Presenting a register of the defectors to Governor Umo Eno, his Political Adviser, Dr. Godwin Ntukudeh, said he was elated by the en masse return of the structure of the opposition parties into the PDP and urged them to swiftly learn and remain committed to the ideals of the party.
The governor, Pastor Umo Eno who received the defectors into PDP, said it was heartwarming to see several tens of thousands of elders, stakeholders and executive committee members and teeming supporters of the opposition parties come out to publicly declare that their decision to abandon their party was chiefly as a result of the early superlative performance of his administration.
The Governor acknowledged them for the show of overwhelming acceptance of the enormous strength of the PDP in Akwa Ibom State, stressing that in his time as leader of the PDP in Akwa Ibom State, the umbrella of the Party will continue to grow wider for many Akwa Ibomites to find political coverage under it.
“As Governor, I stand here today to re-echo my unwavering resolve to continue to lead an administration of broad-based people centric transformation so that the lives of Akwa Ibom people who overwhelmingly elected me to serve can become better while our partymen and women can also become proud of our stewardship.
“I am sure that with the return of these enormous structures from all the other opposition parties in the state, our ranks as a Party will be better for it.” Governor Eno stated.
He direct that at the State-wide Ward meetings of the Party scheduled to hold on March 30, all should return to individual wards and meet minds on how to continue to deepen the taproot of the PDP across the state.
