Several key members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Calabar Municipal Local Government Area, including prominent PDP figure, Francis Effiom, and many of his supporters.
Among the defectors is Ward-8 Chairman, Bernard Iso, who stated that the move was driven by a desire to support Governor Bassey Otu’s administration. Iso highlighted the governor’s efforts in improving infrastructure, particularly in Calabar Municipal, as a key motivation for the defection.
“This decision is based on what is evident. Governor Otu has demonstrated capacity and a commitment to improving the lives of the people, especially in my community, Ward 8, Ikot Ansa,” Iso said. He praised the governor for completing two major road projects in the area, including the dualization of a key route connecting Murtala Mohammed Highway to the Calabar River, and the renovation of Asim Itah Street, a road abandoned for decades.
Effiom urged other PDP members to follow suit, emphasizing that with top leaders of the party shifting to APC, it was only natural for others to join. “If we, the pillars of the PDP in this ward, have moved to APC, others should follow,” he said.
The defectors celebrated their transition to the APC with solidarity songs and the symbolic raising of brooms, pledging their loyalty to the ruling party.
