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    Defection: Cross River PDP stakeholders distance themselves from Ayade

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    May 22, 2021

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders in Cross River State said they remained firmly with the party despite the defection of Governor Ben Ayade to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Ayade officially decamped to the APC on Thursday, claiming that his defection was to help President Muhammadu Buhari in dealing with the challenges facing the country.

    The governor finally defected after months of speculations, though he insisted he had no issue with the PDP.

    The PDP stakeholders, while briefing journalists in Abuja on Friday, said though they were disappointed by the action taken by a governor who had benefited so much from the party.

    They added that Cross River would continue to remain a PDP state despite recent development.

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    The stakeholders maintained that the events of the last 24hours in the state would avail them the opportunity to restrategize and reposition the party in the state ahead of 2023.

    “Our attention has been drawn to the decampment of the Governor of the state, Sen. Ben Ayade from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressive Congress (APC) party. The exit of the Governor from our party, while being rather regrettable, does not come to us as a surprise as it was not unexpected.

    “We join the national leadership of our party to wish him well in his newfound adventure. We understand that the people of Cross River State who have stood firmly with the PDP since 1999 and other lovers of Cross River state are deeply disappointed by this move made by a governor who has won all his elections under the platform of the Party.

    “Given the overwhelming support which he enjoyed under the PDP and the fact that PDP has undeniable strong grassroots in the State, we affirm that Cross River state remains a PDP state.

    “An overwhelming majority of Cross River State people are PDP members. Our key stakeholders, members of the National and State Assemblies and Strategic grass-root mobilizers are still members of our great party.

    “We as a party, therefore, remain virile and strong. Our shell remains uncracked. The leadership of Cross River state under the aegis of PDP since 1999 has led the state to a pedigree of progression and seen to the attainment of all the lofty achievements the state has been known for.

    “Hence, the events of the last 24hours in our state avail us an opportunity to restrategize and realign ourselves with the PDP in Cross River state which was characterized by a trajectory of growth and development geared towards the path of greatness.

    “We, therefore, enjoin all Cross Riverians and the teeming members of PDP in Cross River State not to falter in the faith they have in the party.

    “While the current events may seem to present a glitch to the progress of the state, we hereby affirm our unwavering commitment towards serving the interest of the good people of Cross River state as we strongly believe that Cross River state shall be great again.
    Long live Cross River State,” the stakeholders pointed out.

    Stakeholders who attended the meeting were: Jaribe Agom Jaribe, Gershon Bassey, Sunday Onor, Daniel Asuquo, Bassey Ekpo, Jetty Agbi, Liel Imoke and Anna Enegbeni.

    Others included: Daye Arikpo, Asuquo Eke, Chris Ngora and Etta Mbora.

    Meanwhile, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party on behalf of the National Executive Committee (NEC), has approved the dissolution of the state caretaker committee for the Cross River state chapter of the party.

    The party explained that the decision was pursuant to the powers conferred on the NWC by the PDP Constitution.

    In a statement issued on behalf of the party by the National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, the opposition party noted that the NWC had constituted a new state caretaker committee to pilot the affairs of the chapter of the party at the state level.

    The members of the new state caretaker committee are as follows:
    Efiok Cobham (Chairman), Attah Ochinke, Uke Enun, Walter Mboto, Rita Ayim (Publicity Secretary)
    Mike Usibe and Christopher Ekpo.

    Others include Victor Effiom Okon, K.J. Agba and Eko Atu (Secretary).

    The party stressed that all other structure of the party at the local government and ward levels in the state remained intact.

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