By:Ukongikwen Adie, Calabar
It was a tsunami of defections in Obudu local government area of Cross River state, as members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) led by Mr. Ukeh lkem, the brother of the State Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party and a host of others were received by His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey in Obudu.
Odey appreciated the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Sylvester Agabi, the former Chief of Staff, Chief Martins Orim, the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Zana Akpagu, Hon. Ken Aklah and all other APC stalwarts who had accompanied him on the occasion.

“I am very happy to be here today. Even if by tomorrow, more people are willing to join us, l will come back. We don’t want to leave any remnants. I assure you that we will treat everyone equally. Come with a heart to support the APC and build the government of Sen. Prince Bassey Otu for a better and stronger Cross River North.”
In his opening remarks, the Obudu Chapter Chairman of the All Progressives’ Congress, (APC/Mr. Henry Ubibli said “APC has no restriction, so all who choose to join the party are welcome to do so’.
He recalled that the decision of the former governor to join the APC was for no other reason than to bring governance closer to the people at the grassroots which is evident today.
Ubibli assured those who were defecting that they had taken the right decision.

Also speaking during the event, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Sylvester Agabi welcomed the defectors, assuring them that there will be no segregation. “Obudu is APC anytime and any day”.
The former Chief of Staff, Chief Martins Orim who was also present said although all elections had been won in Obudu, not all the wards were won.
So in the last couple of months, they have been canvassing, holding talks and encouraging people to join the APC.
Orim called on the party faithfuls, the good people of Obudu and those who were defecting to support the administration of Sen. Prince Bassey Otu and the dynamic, energetic and politically savvy Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey to recover the lost glory of Cross River North.
According to the former Chief of Staff “APC did not and will not pay anyone money to defect. I call on you all to take the bold step out of the opposition party to to liberation in APC

“.
Mr. Ukeh lkem who spoke on the behalf of all the defectors, said it is an understatement to say he is liberated. He reiterated that they were neither cajoled, intimated or paid to defect to the APC.
He pledged their total loyalty to APC and the government of Cross River State, with the promise that they will leave no stone unturned until they liberate others.
Ikem appealed to His Excellency, Sen. Prince Bassey Otu and Rt. Hon. Peter Odey to accept them as their own.