Fmr. PDP chieftain cites internal wrangling, absence of internal democracy as reason for defection
A Chieftain of the opposition People’s Democratic party PDP in Cross River State, and grassroot politician in Calabar Municipality local government area of Cross River state, Ntufam Maurice Omini-Iso, who decamped Saturday to the All Progressives Party APC on has citing internal division and absence of internal democracy as reason for his defection.
Omini-Iso who defected alongside caravan of supporters likened the PDP to a sinking ship, stressing that he joined the APC due to Governor Bassey Otu’s impressive infrastructure development and intimidating track record in the area of business and economy.
Omini –Iso made the remarks during a conversation with our Correspondent in Calabar on Monday.
He praised Governor Otu’s achievements, and the achievement of president Bola Tinubu by making policy decisions that impacts positively on the people in the area of Infrastructural development, which include road construction projects that benefited his community.
He stressed that joining the APC would enable him and his supporters to collaborate with the governor to advance the state’s development.
Omini –Iso dismissed claims that he defected to avoid persecution, arguing that he has always been a progressive and was drawn to the APC’s performance.
The grass root politician commended Out’s administration achievements, contending that, “The Otu and President Tinubu’s administration is doing extremely well.”
“I saw that Governor Otu is a different politician who is doing well in the area of Infrastructural development.
“I discovered that APC is doing well. Not only in Cross River state but in Nigeria.
And I decided to defect from the PDP to the APC.
” If you look at the structural setting and internal democracy of the PDP, they are not doing well. PDP is divided, besides there lack a formidable leadership. No decent Nigerian who is a politician would like to be in a sinking ship.
“From the high way to where I reside, he has tarred the road. Otu showed me that he can deliver the goods associated with democracy. So, my supporters and I, we had no option than to decamp to his party the APC”. He spoke.
The business tycoon who doubles as grassroot politician averred that movement alongside his supporters to the APC will afford them opportunity to join hands with governor Otu to lift the state to enviable height.
He denied rumours making the in some quarters by critics that he defected to the APC in order to evade persecution from the leadership of APC.
“I have been a progressive, right from time immemorial. Seeing a progressive party I decided to align. I have been in opposition before now, it’s not the first time I am in opposition and decided to cross over to another party.
“My Crossing over to another party has nothing to do with fear to face persecution. I saw this present administration doing well, so I decided to join them.
“If they were not doing well, I would definitely not do that. The Otu’s administration is doing extremely very well.
“I have been a man who stands on the truth. So, what you just said is inconsequential. Besides that, I am not standing any trial against the government or government standing trial against me in any court of law in Nigeria” He stated.
By: Archibong Emmanuel
(Snr. Reporter)