We will reclaim our mandate – PDP; Sen. Effiong’s action has opened gate for more to decamp – APC

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Akwa Ibom State has said that, it would commence the processes of reclaiming the party’s seat in Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District, following the decamping by Senator Nelson Effiong to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in Abuja recently.

The Senator’s action, which took the party by surprise may not be unconnected with what analysts describe as his poor performance in the Senate.

But Senator Effiong cited the current division and internal wranglings at the national level of PDP as his reason for leaving PDP to the APC saying that, “any politician worth his salt will not stay back in a party that is sinking like the PDP.”

However, the State PDP Chairman, Obong Paul Ekpo in a swift reaction has condemned the Senator saying that, his defection to APC was shocking adding that, his actions and statements against the party were indicative of a drowning man.

Obong Ekpo, who was speaking through a statement signed by the State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr Iniobong Ememobong and made available to newsmen in Uyo further disclosed that, a legal process by PDP would soon commence to retrieve the mandate.

“The Peoples Democratic Party, Akwa Ibom State has received with mixed feelings the announcement of the defection of Senator Nelson Effiong, who was elected on the platform of our great party to represent the people of Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District.

“We however note that, his actions and statements are indicative of a drowning man, who in his speedy descent into an abyss, holds on to any straw within sight and seeks to take with him anything willing to follow.

“The Peoples Democratic Party is not and cannot be a sinking party, even Nelson Effiong recognized so during the last enlarged stakeholders meeting of the party held in December 2016, where he spoke glowingly about the party,” the statement added.

The PDP Chairman called on his members from the Senatorial District, to remain calm and continue to support the party, as due process was being followed to address the anomaly stating that, “As a party, we gave Nelson Effiong the power to speak for his people, but his character showed up and now the whole world can judge him.”

Senator Effiong, became the first National Assembly member from the state to cross-carpet to APC, even when the party is struggling and grappling with allegations of poor performance in the state.

An APC stalwart who spoke on condition of anonymity praised Senator Effiong for taking a bold step assuring that, before another election in the state, more PDP stalwarts some of whom were making clandestine moves to join APC would be free to do so as the Senator has opened the flood gate.