A total of Five hundred and thirty faithfuls of Peoples Democratic Party in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State recently emptied themselves to the moving train of All Progressive Congress (APC) following the determination of their ageless leader, Mr. Temlong Nkwo to have jumped ship to the ruling party.

Political pundits gathered that, Mr. Temlong Nkwo, a renowned youth activist in the area had as a fallout of his defection caused a tsunami in the Raffia City, which has led to political earthquake in the area.

Briefing newsmen shortly after the epoch making event which left so many faithfuls of once self acclaimed largest political Party dumbfounded as well as triggered some members to peddle rumour regarding the defection.

Nkwo, who had been instrumental to the victory of the party since 1999 claimed that, he decided to bid farewell to the party after series of negligence and unfulfilled promises by his dumped party, especially in ward one where he hails.

He expresses dismay over the inability of the party to construct at least a nylon tarred road in ward one talk less of Uyo- Ikot Ekpene road which has been caricatured by right thinking members of the public adding that, political office holders, who were supposed to aide in transforming the area ended up ridiculing the Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area., Akwa Ibom State.

He debunked the rumor making round that there was no defection in Ikot Ekpene, stressing that even when Chairman of all Chapter chairmen of PDP, Obong Sunny Ibanga moved with his college of supporters to APC, some years ago, the same rumour mongers were there to confuse the public.

“I have outgrown such stage of joining issues with my former party members regarding our defection to APC.

“When our then leader, Obong Sunny Ibanga defected to APC, these rumour mongers were there, thus it is not a new thing.

“The truth is that, we have bade farewell to PDP. We are no longer in a political party, where the National leadership is in fiasco.

“We prefer Change and we say, FORWARD EVER, BACKWARD NEVER” He pledged.

He however commended the National leadership of All Progressive Congress for various positions bestowed on Akwa Ibom natives, noting that, such gesture has led to transformation of the area.

He specifically commended the Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission, Mr. Nsima Ekere and his Special Assistance on security, Mr. Uyio Nathaniel for ensuring that Old Itu Road, which was an eyesore has been reconstructed, noting that such act has given residence of the area a sense of belonging in the APC led government.

He also thanked the duo for inculcating various youths, women and elders in the scheme of things stressing that, if APC could put such smiles on the faces of Akwa Ibomites, the party was worth supporting and encouraging.

Nkwo, also poured encomium on the MD NDDC, Mr. Nsima Ekere for intervening in rural electrification as well as repairing Ituak Abang road, where he (Nkwo) hails from.

He portrayed APC as a political enclave which has come to stay, noting that unlike PDP which has faction in its national leadership, APC was a united, cordial and one party with electorate interest as paramount.

He stressed that despite helping in building stronghold within the ranks of PDP in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State since 1999, the party was bereaved of political leaders, especially in ward one where he hails.

‘Since 1999, I have been in the business of building a strong and viable political structure within the ranks of PDP in my Local Government Area, most times I have some misunderstanding with my supporters as a result of negligence of the party in terms of provision of basic amenities in the area.

‘No one could deny the fact that, PDP has not done well, despite all the support I enjoined my team of supporters to drum for the party, there was nothing to show, hence our defection.

‘You may call the defection a tsunami, I only see it as a worthy venture.

‘Judging from the appointment render by the National leadership of APC to natives of this state, you will agree with me that the party meant well for our dear state and our country at large.

‘Worthy of note is the managing director of NDDC, who via the reminder of his SA on Security, Hon. Uyio Nathaniel has transformed our state, in particular Old Itu road in my LGA, as such, APC is a party to hope on’ He claimed.

Our reporter gathered that the 530 supporters are drummed across all the wards in the area.

BY TOROBONG EKPO, Akwa Ibom State

The post DEFECTION IN AKWA IBOM: TEMLONG NKWO BIDS FAREWELL TO PDP *MOVES WITH 530 SUPPORTERS TO APC * CHIDES PDP ON NEGLIGENCE appeared first on The Killer Punch News.