Today, at Ibom hall grounds chieftains of the APC who held different offices since 2014 declared their support for Governor Udom Emmanuel and the PDP. They cited various reasons for their decision, the most important being the defection of their former tormentors to the APC.
Addressing the crowd, the Chairman of the forum of APC Chapter chairmen, Hon. Joseph Ama said that they were appalled by the level of impunity exhibited by the APC, since the defection of Senator Godswill Akpabio to the APC and the deaths that have occurred within the APC fold since then. Also addressing the audience, the Chapter chairman of APC in Itu Local government area, Hon. Sunday Okon Uyire, said that it was practically impossible for him and his EXCO members to remain in the same party with those who in 2011, plotted to kill them. He stated that the memories were still fresh and that the spirit of those who died in that incident, will not forgive them, if they tagged along with the architects and perpetrators of that heinous offence.
He assured that all the officers who served with them, will join hands with the sanitized PDP under the leadership of Governor Udom Emmanuel to ensure the electoral success of all PDP candidates in the approaching polls.
They submitted a list(find attached below)containing the names of those defecting with them to PDP to the State Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, Obong Paul Ekpo, who thereafter received them into the party and assured them of equal rights and privileges with pre-existing members.
In his speech, Governor Udom Emmanuel expressed delight at the voluntariness of their action, noting that such an action could only be motivated by deep seated conviction, that cannot be bought. He said that he will not join issues with his detractors, as there was no basis for such. He however challenged anyone who wants to join issues with him to a debate that will be based on fact, not emotional outbursts.
The multitude of defectors dropped different insignia of their old political party and burnt them at the venue and accepted to come under the coverage of the umbrella.
Below are few pages from the voluminous list submitted by the the former stalwarts of the APC.
