Thomas Thomas
The Akwa Ibom State Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atan Offot on Wednesday was a sort of Mecca because of the multitude of politicians from other political parties, including the APC, NNPP and YPP who swarmed into the Secretariat, seeking to be re-accommodated in the Party. Some of those returnees were led to the Party Secretariat by their respective Ward and /or Chapter leaders. For instance, some prominent returnees from Asang Ward 4 in Nsit Ibom LGA were led to the Secretariat by the Ward Leader, Dr. Ekpedeme Udom. They include the immediate past New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) House of Assembly candidate for Nsit Ibom State Constituency, Comrade Idongesit John, a YPP stalwart and a former Councillor from the Ward, Hon. Victor Ibanga, among others.
Speaking to newsmen at the PDP Secretariat yesterday, some of the decampees said they were forced to return to the Party by the good leadership style of the Governor, His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno, whom they said has done remarkably well in just ten months in office.
One of the returnees, a former Chairman of Nsit Ibom Local Government Area, Hon. Ubong Iyoho said he would not have considered leaving his now former party, YPP if the Governor is not a performing and humble person.
“In fact, the Governor (Pastor Umo Eno) has proven his critics wrong. Those who underated him have been disappointed because of his performance in the last ten months. He has no arrogance in him, and very accommodating and humble. I have watched him from Day – One and what I noticed is that the Governor is a man of his words. All the things he said he would do during his campaigns, he is doing them, and even more. So, I am returning to PDP to help build the State in line with the Governor’s philosophy”, Hon. Iyoho told the Press.
The State Chairman of the PDP, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Akpan was in the Party’s secretariat throughout yesterday (Wednesday), receiving hundreds of returnees into the party. He took time to address every group and individual returnees in the Conference Hall of the Party and in his office. The Chairman took time to count the blessings of the PDP in the State, and the performances of Governor Umo Eno. He assured the returnees of equal treatments in the party, even as he prayed for their cooperation and contributions to make the State the best in Africa.
Also at the PDP Secretariat to address the returnees ahead of the rally on Friday at Ibom Hall ground was the Political Adviser to the Governor, Hon. Dr. Godwin Ntukudeh, who spoke glowingly about the Governor and the PDP in the State. The AKROIMA boss also assured the returnees of fair treatments by the Party and Governor.