Why I am Defecting to APC - DIG Ekpoudom

Why I am Defecting to APC - DIG Ekpoudom

A retired Deputy Inspector General of Police and a known Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, DIG Udom Ekpoudom has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.

Ekpoudom who defected yesterday, Tuesday, 7th August 2018 in his hometown in Etim Ekpo Local Government area moved to the ruling All Progressives Congress together with PDP executives of his ward, Ward 5, among other supporters in the area.

Addressing his supporters over why he decided to jump ship, the political bigwig noted that he has discovered that the PDP is not ready to learn from their 2015 mistakes as impunity and undemocratic practices persist within the party.

He complained that within Etim Ekpo, the PDP with the backing of Governor Udom Emmanuel has allowed a PDP Chieftain whom he refused to name to unilaterally appoint those who should emerge for all elective positions in the area.

He revealed that greater among his displeasure is the fact that the individual invaded his clan to pick whom he described as an illiterate to represent him and Etim Ekpo people at the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly come 2019.

While insisting that the solution to the insecurity challenges of the area does not lie in the hands of PDP led administration, the retired DIG narrated how Cultism in the area secretly receives backing from the Udom Emmanuel’s administration despite publicly proscribing it.

He said “ In my clan, some cultists had attacked and stripped naked someone who did not want to join their activities. When an individual who is learned reported the matter to the police, the State Government became angry and asked him why he reported the matter to the police.

“ He was stripped off as a Dakkada Ambassador. When I saw it, I informed the Governor through text message but he refused to respond nor act on it.”

Ekpoudom further noted that he is unhappy over what he described as Governor Emmanuel’s lack of readiness to assist in ending the Etim Ekpo and Ukanafun killing.

He noted that besides the Governor’s refusal not to consult him for advice as a security expert about the security challenges bedevilling his community, the Governor had refused to give him audience even when he volunteered information.

Ekpoudom said “ I had used my own resources to make findings on the cause of crisis and killings in Etim Ekpo with recommendations. But when I visited the Governor in his office to hand the report to him, I waited from 1pm to 6:30pm  despite several text messages only for the Governor to come out and walk away without attending to me”.

The DIG mentioned that added to the situation was that the Inspector General of Police had sent a special squad to the area to intervene in the killings but the State Governor had resisted their presence.

He maintained that considering his experience, he was convinced Governor Emmanuel was not ready and would not be able to solve the crisis in the area thus the reason he opts for APC administration stressing that he was ready to hand over the report to another administration which he envisage to be birthed by the APC.

Receiving DIG Udom Ekpoudom into the APC fold, the Chapter Chairman of APC, Engr Joseph Idio noted that his defection has added more strength to the APC since he is a great mobilizer and a leader who is respected across Etim Ekpo and beyond.

Highpoint of the event was Ekpoudom’s formalization of APC Membership through registration.

Among APC Stakeholders in Etim Ekpo who welcomed the DIG into the party  were Barr Chris Okorie, Engr Akanimo Udo and

When contacted on phone for comments over alleged role of Governor Emmanuel in the security challenges of the area, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Ekerette Udoh refused comments.

Contacted for comments over alleged role of Governor Emmanuel in the security challenges of the area proved abortive as he put off the call after the question was asked and did not respond to text messages sent to his phone line.