By Our Reporter
The Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey asserts that the All Progressives Congress, APC received a significant boost with the defection of Hon. Mike Usibe, a former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Federal House of Representatives candidate, and Mr Ukeh Ikem, the brother of the State PDP Chairman, Hon. Venatius Ikem.
Rt. Hon. Odey made this assertion while addressing the press after he received the defectors at the well-attended ceremonies at Ogoja and Obudu Local Government Areas on Saturday, 9 March 2024.
He stressed that the migration of Hon. Mike Usibe, a former PDP Federal House of Representatives candidate, and Mr Ukeh Ikem, brother of the State’s PDP Chairman, along with numerous supporters from Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency and Obudu Local Government Area, serves as a significant boost for the APC in the Northern Senatorial District and Cross River State as a whole.
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The delighted Deputy Governor, praising Hon. Usibe, described him as an accomplished businessman and a formidable influence in Yala/Ogoja politics. He portrayed Ikem as a valuable asset to the APC, highlighting his extensive experience in grassroots politics as a significant advantage.
Commending both the defectors and their supporters for their courageous decision to leave their former party, he assured them of equal rights and privileges within the ruling party, the APC.
Odey, emphasising the influx of defections from the PDP and other political parties to the APC in the Northern Senatorial District and statewide as an indication of opposition decline, reaffirms Governor Otu’s steadfast dedication to transforming the socioeconomic status of Cross Riverians, evident in his ‘People First’ mantra.
During their respective opening remarks at the event, Yala Local Government Chapter Chairman, Mr Solomon Ogar, and the host (Ogoja) Chapter Chairman lauded Mr Usibe’s virtues and impact, expressing that his move to the ruling party was akin to catching a ‘big fish’ and signifying the complete breakdown of the main opposition party in the zone.
APC Chapter Chairman, Mr Henry Ubibi, emphasised that the APC imposes no restrictions, welcoming all who decide to join the party. He praised the courage and dedication of the defectors to the state’s growth, assuring them of equal treatment alongside longstanding members.
In his earlier remarks at Ogoja, Hon. Usibe, leading the defectors, clarified that he abandoned the opposition PDP due to his belief that the new APC government at both the State and Federal levels is actively working to reshape the country’s socioeconomic status.
Mr Ikem, leading the defectors in Obudu, expressed gratitude for the hospitality of the ruling party. He explained that his decision to join the APC stems from the desire to acknowledge the significant strides initiated by the government led by Senator (Prince) Bassey Otu.
Goodwill messages were received from several speakers, notably the Deputy Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Hon. Sylvester Agabi and former Chief of Staff, Chief Martins Orim.
The reception ceremony was graced by the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Zana Akpagu, Special Adviser to the Governor on Power, Hon. Kenn Aklah, along with other key party stakeholders and hundreds of party members.
