PDP Members Defect to APC in Cross River’s Calabar Municipal

In a significant political shift, more members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Calabar Municipal Local Government Area, Cross River State. Among the defectors is Francis Effiom, a notable PDP stalwart, along with several of his supporters.

One of the prominent defectors, Bernard Iso, who previously served as Ward-8 Chairman of the PDP, explained that their defection was motivated by a desire to support Governor Bassey Otu’s administration, rather than oppose it.

“This decision is predicated on what is so obvious.

The governor of Cross River State, Prince Bassey Otu, has shown great capacity and willingness to improve the lives of the people. In my community, Ward 8, Ikot Ansa, Calabar Municipal Local Government, we have seen remarkable progress,” Iso stated.

He went on to highlight some of the achievements under Governor Otu’s administration.

“Within his first year in office, Governor Otu has fixed two major roads in my community. One is the road leading to the highway through Zone 6 to the NPC depot, extending to the port side via the industrial park, where most of the tank farms are located in Calabar.

This road was almost impassable until Governor Otu’s intervention, and today, it has been transformed into a dual carriageway from Murtala Mohammed Highway to the Calabar River.”

Iso also commended the governor for his work on the Eastern flank of the community, stating, “The Ndidem Usang Iso Bolivat road, starting from our community, has just been commissioned by Governor Otu despite only being in office for a year.

Another long-abandoned road, Asim Itah Street, has also been repaired by the governor.”

Francis Effiom, another key defector, urged remaining PDP members to follow their lead and join the APC.

“If we, who were the pillars of the PDP, including the ward leader Ntufam Bernard Iso, myself, and the entire ward structure, have moved to the APC, then every other person should follow,” he advised.

The defection ceremony was marked by chants of solidarity, with the defectors waving brooms, the symbol of the APC, and pledging their loyalty to the ruling party moving forward.