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By Akpan David, Calabar
Chairman of PDP in Cross River State, Vena Ikem has explained why they had to declare a former PDP stalwart in the state and two times commissioner, Arc Bassey Ndem as Absent Without Official Leave (AWOL) from the party.
He said they had since known that he had soft spots for Governor Ben Ayade who defected from the party last year May 20.
Speaking exclusively to our reporter, Ikem said Bassey Ndem, a former managing director of TINAPA Business Resort silently deserted the party and has been too loyal to Ayade.
About two weeks ago, Ndem’s defection to Ayade’s new party, APC, was celebrated with fanfare in Calabar, so that the APC now claims that they have broken the backbone of PDP especially in the southern Senatorial District.
Ikem said, “It’s only natural that we declared him “awol” because we know he is an Ayade apologist.
I cannot understand why you said his defection will divide the southern votes. One thing I am sure of is that Cross Riverians have made up their minds to vote PDP as always. The Gov’s position seems to have consolidated that resolve.
“It is our people’s responsibility to defend their territory.
“I can assure you is that we remain most solid in the South and elsewhere. All our National Assembly members from the South didn’t decamp.”
State chairman of APC, Barrister Alphonsus Ogar Eba said, “We do not only have Arc Bassey Ndem in our party. There are many of such lining up to join us. I wonder who is remaining in that gang. Our political evangelism has achieved so much already.”
There are indications that Gov Ayade is looking to foist Ndem as his successor going by his popularity amongst the people of he south where he assures should produce next governor in the spirit of rotation.
