About 37,874 members of opposition parties in Akwa Ibom State officially defected to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Friday, March 22, 2024.
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The defectors came from various political parties including the All Progressives Congress, APC, Young Progressives Party, YPP, New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, and the Social Democratic Party, SDP.
Former state secretary of APC Nkereuwem Enyong Ekere and Emmanuel Uko Etteh of YPP, who spoke on behalf of the defectors, expressed their commitment to merging their structures with the PDP.
Governor Umo Eno welcomed the defectors at the PDP Secretariat in Atan Offot, Uyo, advising them to show respect towards their leaders, particularly those at the national level.
He emphasized the importance of supporting leaders and maintaining humility, compassion, and respect for authority.
The governor highlighted that peace, love, and unity are essential for growth and progress, urging the defectors to integrate their previous structures into the PDP framework to demonstrate their sincerity and dedication.
Eno assured the returnees of equal opportunities within the party and the state, emphasizing that the PDP is inclusive and can accommodate everyone.
The state PDP chairman, Aniekan Akpan, described the reception rally as a significant event, second only to a rally held in December 2022.
Akpan pledged to fully reintegrate the returnees, many of whom were former PDP leaders, into the party.
He expressed confidence in working together with the defectors to enhance the growth and success of the PDP in the state, acknowledging their endorsement of Governor Umo Eno’s administration achievements within a short period.
