On Tuesday, the Director General of the Cross River State Boundary Commission, Rt. Hon. (Chief) Ngim Okpo, hosted a well-organized and well-attended reception where he officially welcomed Comr. Felix Etekpi, former Chairman of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Biakpan ward, Biase Local Government Area, to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In his remarks, Okpo, a former member of the House of Assembly representing Biase State Constituency, commended the former PDP chairman for his bold decision to join the progressive family along with others. He emphasized that the APC is a party that embraces all, operating with open-door policies as outlined in Article 9 of the party’s constitution, which states that membership is open to all.
The APC ward chairman of Biakpan expressed his delight in welcoming the former PDP chairman and assured that they would be fully included in the party’s activities. He described the new defector as a grassroots leader with a strong track record and assured them that they would enjoy the same privileges and rights as all other members.
In a goodwill message, the Commissioner for Youth Development, Ijom-Ukam Odum, praised the defectors for joining the party, noting that Senator Prince Bassey Otu is committed to accommodating everyone in his administration. He encouraged the new members to see themselves as part of the APC family and urged existing members to avoid any tendencies that could divide or segregate the new additions.
He also called on the people of Cross River State to support the “People First” mantra of the current administration in the state in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, which aims to improve the lives of citizens at all levels.
Speaking earlier, the lead defector and former PDP Chairman, Comr. Felix Etekpi, expressed his delight in joining the APC, citing the impressive achievements of Governor Senator Prince Bassey Otu.
He pledged their total allegiance to the APC and the Cross River State government, vowing to leave no stone unturned in their efforts to bring more people over from the PDP.
The event was attended by the Special Assistant to the Deputy Governor on ICT, Mr. Ubio Oviong, a former Councillor representing Biakpan ward, Hon. Awo, Awo Ogim, Barr. Jacob Ukpai and other executive members of the party in the ward, among others.
Highpoint of the event which held in Calabar, was the presentation of the party’s insignia (broom and a copy of the party’s constitution) to the former chairman and other who were received.
