Samuel Effanga dumps APC for PDP

BY ABASIFREKE OBOT & ETIMA EFFIONG

A former Commissioner for Science and Technology, Hon Samuel Effanga from Ward six in Uyo local government area, on Thursday defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The defection which took place at La Sien Event Centre, attracted political chieftains from the PDP.

Hon Effanga while defecting, said his decision to return to the PDP was informed by the focused leadership of Governor Udom Emmanuel on one hand and the fact that no Uyo person has so far been accommodated by APC either by way of appointment at the federal level or within the Party at the state level.

Effanga, who led over 300 APC supporters from his ward to the PDP , Effanga said the highest office occupied by an Uyo man in APC is that of Assistant Organising Secretary and going by how APC has shared its offices for 2019, Uyo being the stronghold of the Party, has again been left out which is not acceptable to him and his supporters.

According to him, “Why should we  continue to support a Party that has no interest of Uyo people at heart, in the various political appointments made so far at the national level, which one has come to Uyo despite being a stronghold of the Party in the state.”

“This is contrary to the PDP government in the state which has given political appointments to the people of Uyo. Today we have a member of the state executive council, chairmen of boards, Special Assistants and Personal Aides to the governor. The Umbrella has provided a cover for Uyo people unlike the APC”

Also listed as reasons he had to abandon APC for PDP were impunity and division within the party. “Today we have those who call themselves ‘The Real APC’, there is crises in the party because of the governorship aspiration  of some members of the party. The recent endorsement of a certain aspirant is already generating controversies within the party. “There is a complete disorganisation within APC, there is no coordination in the party at the moment. I don’t know where they are going and I cannot follow someone who does not know where he is going”

Mr.Efanga described PDP as a more organised Party in the country at the moment following the recent Supreme Court judgment that put the leadership tussle to rest. “When you analyse politics, economy and administration, what you will see is that PDP is a more organised party. There is stability in PDP. We have governance in the state that is working well, the character of Mr.Udom Emmanuel has convinced me that there is no point to oppose the government  of PDP under his leadership”

Also speaking, another decampee, Mr Ekpedeme Uko he was in the the PDP before he left to support Obong Umana Umana, but he has decided to return to the party in order to join hands with the people of Uyo to support the government of Governor Udom Emmanuel.

He said, “I’m not coming to contest any election, but coming to support the administration of Deacon Udom Emmanuel beyond 2019. I have looked and have realised that APC will not win come next elections.” He thanked the PDP family for accepting him back into the party fold and promised to be loyal to the ruling party in the State.

Receiving them, the Chairman of PDP in Uyo, Mr Idorenyin Orok commended them for the courage they had to defect from the opposition party to the ruling party in the State. 

He said the party was happy to receive the former Commissioner for Science and Technology, Hon Samuel Effanga, Ekpedeme Uko as well as other decampees, saying that the party will carry them along in its activities.

Also speaking, the Uyo Senatorial District PDP Vice Chairman, Hon Imo Okon said the party will embrace all the defectors, urging them to go back to their different units and wards to mobilise for the party in the forthcoming coming election. Prince Enobong Uwah in his vote of thanks, expressed happiness over the return of Samuel Effanga back to PDP. He said the put will make good use of the former Commissioner for Science and Technology. 

Among those present at the event were: Dr Val Attah, Chris Nyong, Chris Udofia, Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Udoh.