Akwa Ibom Governor, Pastor Umo Eno says the defection of several members of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state to join the opposition parties during the 2023 elections made the PDP stronger, and focused.
Governor Eno made the assertion Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in Uyo while welcoming back several PDP members who had defected and joined the Young Progressives Party, YPP, ahead of the 2023 elections in the state led by Ubong Edem.
His words, “Thank you for the fight you put up. May be we wouldn’t have been where we are today, but for your resistance. Power is not supposed to be a walkover.
“There must be some level of resistance and it is that fight that made us prepare better and stay more focused. So, you did the right thing.
” Where there is no opposition, government could take the people for granted, so I thank you. We welcome you back home and we will continue to work for our State.
“All of you that are back and those that will still come, the doors are wide open. We will continue to receive all, believing you are sincere.
“The zeal you will bring to the party will even motivate those of us still who have remained in the party, to be more committed and value what we have.
“We are prepared to support you, believe your return will strengthen our walls. So please go back to your wards and let them know you are back, no conditions attached to your return because we want people to return sincerely.”
The governor, however, cautioned against attempts to dislodge or displace those who have sustained the party while they defected.
Also speaking, State PDP Chairman, Elder Aniekan Akpan, who recognised the returnees as all well-known people in the party noted that the YPP in Akwa Ibom was active on the strength of PDP stalwarts over time and their return to the ruling party was expected.
