Baskadia

... _FORMER STATE HOUSE MEMBER, SEVERAL PDP STALWARTS DUMP PARTY, DEFECT TO THE APC_.

There was a political Tsunami, a near eclipse and total collapse of the People's Democratic Party, PDP Ekpashi Ward Boki, as serving PDP Ward Chairman Hon. *Kelvin Njong*, Ward Secretary and several other stalwarts, collapsed structures to join the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. The erstwhile chairman said orderliness and leadership in the APC prompted his decision to join the party.

This is no exaggeration, APC is a very organized system. I am happy to be in the winning team, the ruling party.

There is no other party in Ekpashi Ward. We were the party and by our exit, there is no more PDP. Today, together with my Secretary and other stakeholders, have decided to join the APC under a sincere leadership."

Describing the party as a mere shadow, a senior stakeholder of Ekpashi political clan and former Member of the Cross River House of Assembly, Hon. *Gerald Odok* said PDP is a party for shadow-chasers.

He disclosed that since his sojourn in his estranged party, the PDP, has never witnessed coherence and transparency.

"I have been there. There's nothing there. Over there , the more you look the less you see, and I am happy to be back where orderliness is the watchword.

Presenting the defectors, the Ward Chairman of Ekpashi Ward, Mr *Paul O. Nku*, appreciated the decision to move to the winning camp, the APC, while also charging them to be committed to the party's leadership and to respect the hierarchy.

Speaking shortly after their defection on behalf of the defectors, Mr Cletus Obang Okafa, who until his defection was the Ward Chairman of the People's Democratic Party PDP, expressed gratitude to the leadership of the APC in the Ward and Boki in general for inclusiveness, which motivated him to join the APC.

Addressing the defectors after receiving them into the party, the Member Representing Boki II State Constituency, Rt. Hon. *Hilary Ekpang Bisong* (JP), commended them for their foresight, saying that everyone will be treated equally.

"In the APC there is no division between old and new. The moment you become a member, you enjoy the same benefit as the old members. There is orderliness here and we will do everything possible to carry everyone along.

Also admonishing the new entrants, the Member Representing Boki/Ikom Federal Constituency, *Hon Victor Abang* a.k.a MATURE, encouraged all to remain steadfast and work hard to justify their intentions.

Over a hundred of defectors were received and welcomed. welcomed

Present at the occasion were; former Member Representing Obudu in the Cross River House of Assembly, Hon

*Maria Akwaji*; former councilor of Ekpashi Ward, Hon. *Jacob Etta*; Chapter Chairman of APC, *Mr Kelvin Njong*; Chapter Secretary, Mr *Edmond Bisong* and other party stakeholders.