More than 1,000 indigenes of Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State have joined the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the party’s governorship candidate, Sir Arthur Jarvis Archibong, visited his home area for consultations with traditional rulers, political leaders, stakeholders and residents.
The defectors, said to be largely members of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, announced their return to the PDP during Archibong’s consultation visit to the area.
Receiving the defectors, Archibong described the development as the largest number of people to join the PDP since the commencement of his consultation tour.
He said the decision by the people demonstrated their confidence in the party and promised that their support would not be taken for granted.
Archibong said the people of Akpabuyo and Cross River State had been demanding effective governance, adding that his decision to seek the governorship was driven by what he described as a desire to rescue the state.
The PDP candidate commended the people for expressing their preference for what they considered good governance through their return to the party.
Traditional rulers, political leaders and other stakeholders in Akpabuyo who spoke during the visit said Archibong’s decision to consult his people at home showed that he understood the importance of seeking the support of his immediate community.
One of the defectors and a PDP chieftain in the area, Ene Effiom Akabom, said Archibong had made contributions to the development of the community.
“Ete Jarvis is of our own stock. He has impacted us collectively. This is one of the reasons we have taken the collective decision to return and join him in PDP,” Akabom said.
“Our message is that Akpabuyo is PDP and PDP is Akpabuyo,” he added.
Thousands defect to PDP in Akpabuyo as governorship candidate consults constituents