Ayade Absent As Minister Welcomes 10,000 PDP Defectors To APC In Obudu

Cross River State Governor, Sir Ben Ayade was a notable absentee at the Obudu Unity Rally as the Honourable Minister of State, Power, Goddy Jedy Agba, OFR formally received over ten thousand (10,000) people who recently defected from the People's Democratic Party, PDP to the All Progressives Congress, APC in the state. 

The Minister who came in company of the immediate past Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and former State Chairman of the party, Pastor Usani Uguru had arrived Obudu at about 9:am but delayed going to the rally venue till about 12:30PM with the hope that the Governor was coming. 

It was at the J. D Agba memorial stadium, Obudu, venue of the rally that the Minister was hinted that the Governor was not going to be in attendance despite previous assurances that he will be physically present. 

Recall that both the Minister and the Governor are natives of Obudu. The reason for the Governor's absence is however still sketchy. 

The rally, inspite the Governor's absence went on smoothly with a carnival match starting from Ogoja road to the venue. Economic activities in the local government were completely shutdown owing to the mammoth crowd that turned up for the exercise. 

Notable figures who had moved with their supporters to the APC in Obudu and were received in the rally are : the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Martins Orim, Hon. Victor Agwu, Commissioner for Power, Engr. Mike Eraye, Commissioner for Robotic and Artificial Intelligence, Hon. Boniface Eraye, Obudu local government council Chairman and all the ten ward Councilors in Obudu. 

Others include, Hon. Maria Akwaji, Member representing Obudu State constituency in the state house of assembly, Hon. Kenneth Aklah, Senior Special Adviser, Events Planning, Hon. Noel Ugbong, Director General, Cross River State Border Commission, all former PDP Chapter and ward executives and many others. 

Addressing the press on the importance of the Governor's defection to the party, the Minister said that, it was long overdue considering President Muhammadu Buhari's magnamity to the state in terms of projects and appointments.

He maintained that he was happy that APC is now in charge of the state but will be happier of the Governor who is the new leader of the party works in harmony with other leaders to deliver the state to the party in 2023. 

"The essence of a political party is to win elections and bring development to our people. This is why I'm very excited that my brother, the Governor and his supporters have joined us, and this is why I abandoned all other functions to be here today to welcome them formally and tell them that we're one and ready to work together to move our local government, state and country forward. 

There are a lot of benefits connecting to the center but I'll advice that they should be fair and just and treat everybody with respect and dignity. We're happy that we're a ruling party now but will be happier to win our own election in 2023. With the Governor and if the party stay united, I'm very sure that we'll deliver the state hundred percent in future elections", Agba said.

On his part, the former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Uguru encouraged more Cross Riverians who are yet to identify with the party to do so declaring that " APC has come to stay".

He said that, "we welcome our Governor and all those who have joined us in the progressive family. I'm here to encourage, support and also tell them that they've made the best decision. I'll encourage them to work in synergy with others to build a united and strong party that'll be able to win the next election landslide".

In his welcome address, the Chairman of Obudu local government, Hon. Eraye declared that Obudu was APC and so it'll remain beyond 2023.

While urging those who are yet to register with the party to quickly do so, he added that "we need to register to join hands with our leader, the Governor, our brother, the Minister and President to develop our state and the country".