By Anietie Akpan
In a gale of defections rocking the People Democratic Party (PDP) nationwide, a prominent member in Ikom Urban Ward 1 has dumped the PDP to the All Progressive Congress (APC) with thousands of his supporters.
The heavy weight is the former PDP House of Assembly aspirant in the 2023 general election, Mr Leonard Okimsama, popularly known as Cocoa Caterpillar.
Pillar Today gathered that this defection may be a forerunner for the original caterpillar and others in Etung and Ikom to follow suit.
The defection, according to Kingsley Tanko of Noticeboard.com.ng, in a release on Monday, April 28, took place at his ward, in the presence of both Ward and Chapter Executives.
Okimsama while making his speech, said his coming to APC with his supporters, “is to compliment the effort of the workaholic Ikom 1 State House Member, Hon Neji Abang, in the fight to attract development to his people”.
After his speech, the Cocoa Caterpillar and other defectors such as the PDP Ikom Urban 1 women Leader, Mrs Esame Kayi, former PDP women Leader, Mrs Mercy Okim, The CEO of Excellent driving school, Mr Excellent Etta, wrote their names in the Party register and signed their membership slips.
The Ward Chairman and and the Chapter Secretary who gave their separate charges, assured the defectors of inclusiveness, adding that “there’s no new or old APC in Ikom Urban 1”.
Hon Abang, thanked Mr Okimsama and his thousand of supporters for making the right decision to join him in the APC.
He promised to work hand in gloves with them to attract the dividends of democracy to Ikom Urban.
Representing the Ikom Traditional Administration, Mr Francis Bojor Ndifon, aka Ogbana, following the development, declared Okimsama as the Leader of APC in Ikom Urban Ward 1, and urged that any message for the People of Ikom Urban Ward 1, should pass through him.
