By Adesina Soyooye
Venatius Ikem, a former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has joined the All Progressives Congress, APC. Ikem was also a former Chairman of the PDP, Cross River State Chapter.
Ikem, who announced his decision at a defection rally in Obudu Local Government Area, said he was impressed by the reception he received from APC leaders and members since joining the party.
Political disagreements, he said, should not be allowed to destroy the relationships among family members, friends and community leaders.
His words: “APC and PDP and all other political parties are not bad parties. It is we, the people, who are bad. Do not fight your brother over politics.”
Citing internal divisions in the Party, unclear direction and leadership incoherence, Ikem said he resigned from the party about two weeks ago.
He also slammed the rationale behind the party’s Rainbow Coalition and thanked Governor Otu, his Chief of Staff, Dr Emmanuel Ironbar, and other APC leaders for facilitating his return to the ruling party.
The decision to return, he disclosed, offered him an opportunity to rebuild political relationships and promote development in Obudu.
Ntufom Monjok, an Ogoja APC stakeholder said Ikem’s defection is a setback for the PDP in the northern senatorial district. But Ekpenyong Ekpenyong, another stakeholder, said it would reduce political tensions in the area.
The PDP, however, seems unmoved, insisting that Ikem’s resignation is no big deal and would not affect the fortunes of the Party.
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