Ex- PDP Deputy governorship candidate, loyalists defect to APC in C’River 

From Ene Asuquo, Calabar 

Mass defection hits opposition political parties in Cross River state as former  deputy governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic party,  PDP,  in the last 2023 general election, Emana Duke Amawhe alongside other heavyweight politicians in the state defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. 

Amawhe and massive loyalists were welcomed into the  All Progressives Congress (APC) at the State secretariat located at Mortala Mohammed Highway in Calabar at the weekend.

The Nations News Nigeria reports that those in attendance at the defection venue includes; the council Chairmen, Commissioners, House of Assembly members, the State Deputy Governor except the Governor who was on an official engagement outside the State 

In her remarks, Amawhe said that she moved to APC with over a hundred thousand of her followers across the 18 Local government areas of the State stating that the defection is a new season in the political landscape of the State because it is a dynamic shifts politically

” I have decided to collapse my entire political structure to partner with the administration of Governor Bassey Edet Otu to deliver on his people first mandate and to also partner with the renewed hope agenda of President Tinubu Bola Tinubu to drive economic development for our people”.

Moreso, “I have decided to to defect because I can’t be an armchair critic or politician, every politician needs a viable platform to carry out the business of politics, I want to serve my people, I’ am an active citizen who do not want to seat by the sidelines and make contributions” she maintained.

She stressed further that the development strides of the Governor is what has endeared her to the party so that she would join hands with the Governor and contribute to the development of cross river state.

Other notable political heavyweight who also defected to APC with thousands of their supporters include 3 terms House of Representatives member, Hon Daniel Asuquo of the labour party who represented Akamkpa/ Biase Federal constituency, current member representing Odukpani/ Calabar Municipality federal constituency on the platform of the labour party, Hon Bassey Akiba, the state chairman, people’s Redemption Party, .Barr. Atta Ochinke of the PDP and many others

In his remarks, the state chairman of APC, Alphonsus Eba tasked the defectors to be instrumental to the party’s success in future elections at all levels.said, ” we have chosen this day by the approval of the leader, Governor Bassey Edet Otu represented by the Deputy, Rt.Hon. Peter Odey to receive you all into the Party”.

” I want to appreciate the due process you have followed. You have all gone through the ward level and you have made your intent known, you have registered in your polling Units and wards, today you all are bonafide members of our party”, Eba stated.