The Young Progressives Party (YPP), on Saturday in Uyo, during official declaration of Sen. Bassey Akpan for the YPP, received defectors, made up, mainly of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) members into their fold.
The defectors include Mr. Asuquo Udo – PDP Ikono, Emmanuel Udoh – PDP Ikono, Mr Emmanuel Ekon, former House of Representatives member representing Abak/Etim Ekpo Federal constituency and former Commissioner in the state, Mr. Samuel Efanga among others.
All the defectors affirmed their support and commitment to the party, promising to work tirelessly for its victory in the 2023 general elections in the state.
Recall that Akpan, who currently serves as Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources upstream in the 9th Senate, was formerly a member of the PDP but recently defected to the YPP in a quest to further his governorship ambition come 2023.
Receiving the decampees, the YPP National Chairman, Mr. Emmanuel Amakiri, urged them to feel at home in the party, assuring that it is a wonderful family that cares for the interest of all and sundry.
According to him, time has come for every young progressive Nigerian to take his destiny in his hands, saying he was fulfilled seeing the masses that have decided to rally round their popular son, to liberate Akwa Ibom from its current quagmire.
Earlier in his welcome address, the state chairman of YPP, Mr. Nyeneime Andy, said the birth of the party signified a new Akwa Ibom state, where hunger would be overcome through the YPP.
He said that in every generation, there is a Nehemiah who rises to build the broken walls of the city, describing YPP as a third force, that has come to produce the next governor of the state, and that the reign of other big parties in the state has just ended.
“I picked the form of the party to serve the people, but having seen a younger and more vibrant politician who is hungrier to serve, I tendered my resignation a few days ago to pave way for Bassey Akpan to step in.
“Just as Akpan stepped down for someone years back willingly, I stepped down for Senator Akpan because it is his time to be governor,” Andy said.
He described Akpan as the best person that can take Akwa Ibom to its desired destination and urged the people to resist vote buying because it brought Nigeria to its present misfortune.
In his remarks, Sen. Bassey Akpan told the massive crowd that witnessed his official change of baton from PDP to YPP that he was willingly offering himself as an aspirant in the upcoming primaries for substitution, following Andy’s announcement of his withdrawal of his candidacy.
Akpan assured the people that if given the chance, he would not disappoint the party, adding that, as governor, all the civil servants would be treated to social justice and welfare.
Akpan said he would work with others on the theme of “3Rs”, promising to “recover Akwa Ibom, reconcile Akwa Ibom back to God and reposition Akwa Ibom for greatness.”
He assured the people of the state that if voted into power, his government would banish hunger, insecurity, hardship and injustice in the state.
