Labour Party Chairman, Sec., others Defect to APC in C’ River
Sequel to the defection of Sen.Ben Ayade from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, the rulling party has penetrated the Labour Party in the state resulting in Monday’s defection of the State Chairman, Members of the State Executive Committee and Secretary of the party to APC.
State Chairman of the Labour Party, Elder Maurice Ekeng joined the fray of defectors as he formally endorsed and announced his party’s exodus to the APC for what he described as “some very spectacular reasons”.
He was received at the Marian Road Secretariat of the party by the State Chairman, Sen. Matthew Mbu Jr. who was represented by the State Publicity Secretary, Pastor Bassey Ita.
Ekeng said his defection along with his entire State Executive Committee and Secretary, was for some very spectacular reasons which among others was that his party could no longer sustain the many doubts and resentments against a mercurial Ayade governorship.
According to him, Ayade’s administration has changed both the political and development history of the state in the past six years as well as helped many young people to fulfill their political destinies.
He further said the Governor has transformed the agro-industrial sector, prioritized security and job opportunities and has therefore restored public confidence in the governance process.
Eking the Labour Party was particularly incapable of sustaining the doubts that an Ayade governorship will bring any meaningful impact in the state adding that from the experience so far, the administration requires the cooperation and support of all to achieve more impactful governance in the state.
“We urge all Cross Riverians, the Federal Government and even the International Community to support this administration because of the peculiarities of the state.
“We lost 76 oil wells, lost Bakassi and the corresponding goodwill. The Governor also came up with some people-oriented programmes and projects to ensure that the losses do not demean our economic fortunes and affect our existence”.
State Publicity Secretary, Pastor Bassey Ita who received the defecting Chairman on behalf of the APC Chairman, Sen. Mbu Jr. remarked that the APC was glad to have the LP officials join the party to add value.
He said as a progressive party ,the APC believes in value addition and growth adding that men and women of goodwill who are ready to build on the existing values will have a place to express and fulfill their political destinies for the progress of the party and the polity.
Bassey Ita said the party will not renege on its efforts at championing internal democracy to throw up only leaders that can be of value to society.
The APC Chairman urged the defectors to always make compromises within the fold where necessary especially when it has to do with strengthening the capacity of the party for elections victory instead of a rigid disposition that may mar her chances of victory.
