APC camp swells as former Council Chair, ors dump PDP

BY UBONG INYANG

The People’s Democratic Party in the state on Monday suffered yet another setback as a former council chairman in Urueffong Oruko Chief Okon Tom Osung officially defected to the All Progressives Congress APC along with his former councilors and other party officers.

The former council boss was received alongside his colleagues by the state leadership of the APC at the party headquarters along Atiku Abubakar way. Receiving the defectors, the state chairman of the APC Mr Amadu Attai expressed his happiness that the people of Urueffong Oruko came out in their numbers to witness the official reception of one of their great sons into the APC fold while also describing Chief Osung as a big fish whose orientation was based on progressives and also a man with good leadership qualities who has a good number of followers. According to him, it was a monumental occasion and a blessing for the party which consolidates the fact that change has come to stay in the state and also reiterated that the former council chairman made a great decision by dumping the PDP for the APC.  

In his response, Chief Osung first of all described PDP as a party for the minorities and further added that he is a fully registered APC member and it is a party where he belongs and felt honored to be received by the state leadership of the party. “PDP is now a party for the minorities which is why I left together with my chapter secretary and former councilors. I am now a card carrying member of the APC after registering in my ward and it is an honor for me to be received by the state party leadership” he said.

He further described the APC as a party which has finally recognized people from the Oron extraction where he comes from and also lamented their sufferings in the hands of the PDP in the course of demanding what rightfully belongs to the Oron people highlighting the choice of Engineer Ben Ukpong as the deputy governorship aspirant to be the endearing factor which made him dump the PDP for the APC because it shows transparency and fairness to Oron people. “ Engineer Ben Ukpong, a man with an unquestionable character, comes from Oron and we have a good relationship so I don’t see any reason why I should still be in PDP who has failed to recognize us in any of the top positions in the state so therefore APC is the best alternative for me and the people of Urueffong Oruko because they have provided an opportunity for us to be recognized and this will bring transformation to the Oron community because in the 16 year history of PDP in the state; there is nothing to show for it” he added. Chief Osung also described his tenure in office as the best in the history of Urueffong Oruko describing it as an opportunity to serve the people and transform his place and he was duly recognized as the best performing Council Chairman in the country. He also said that the APC is the party of choice for the people of Urueffong Oruko and there is no going back because the plights of the people can only be heard and answered by the APC when they take over power in the state.

The state secretary of the APC in his remarks, described Chief Osung as a veteran in the business of politics in Oron nation and the state as a whole stating that it was an opportunity the party wouldn’t have relinquished while stating that he has met all the necessary requirements to be a party member and further admonished him that the APC is a family that is built on a very solid foundation which carries every member along which is why the broom is the party symbol and it signifies togetherness. 

Presenting the broom to the defectors, Mr Amadu Attai urged them to use the broom to sweep everything evil in their houses and the society as well to showcase the change mantra of the party. The event also saw the defectors perform their first assignment which was to sweep the floor much to the delight of the party faithful in attendance. The other defectors were Comrade Ating Ante (former PDP chapter secretary), Hon. Douglas Ulo, Hon Nkereuwem Peter, Hon Asuquo Ben, Hon Sunday Edet, and Hon Eyo Okon among others.

This development is one of many setbacks hitting the PDP in the state as numbers of the party faithful have been on the run taking refuge in the APC ahead of the expected election rerun in 18 local governments in the state.