More aggrieved members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State have continued to defect to the opposition, ahead of the 2019 general elections.
The latest to ditch the PDP in the state is Engr. Ime Ekanem, a former PDP governorship candidate, who migrated with over 500 members to the APC, at the weekend.
The migration of Ekanem, from Uruan Local Government Area, came on the heels of defections by high profile PDP members including Senator Nelson Effiong (Eket Senatorial District); Hon. Emmanuel Ukoette, House of Representatives member for Oruk Anam\Ukanafun and others in Ikot Abasi and Ikot Ekpene Federal constituencies.
Former Petroleum Minister, Otuekong Don Etiebet; former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Obong Umana Okon Umana, now the Managing Director of the Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority (OGFZA) and former Deputy Governor, Obong Nsima Ekere, now NDDC MD, are some high profile PDP chieftains, who ditched the party to APC.
The broom revolution ceremony held at the Primary school field, Ibiaku Uruan, Northern Uruan Ward 2, was witnessed by chieftains of APC, ward leaders, youths and women of the party.
The APC ward chairman, Hon. Etimbuk Mbom, who received the decamped persons, commended them for what he described as “a big, bold step to join forces with a more formidable party” in its quest to dislodge the ruling PDP from the Hiltop Mansion (Government House), in 2019.