A total of 46,361 youths including chapter chairmen and state officers of the opposition Young Progressives Party (YPP) from 31 local government areas of Akwa Ibom State have moved to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The mass movement, it was gathered, finally collapsed the entire plank of the youths’ structure of the party following the massive win by the PDP to retain the state after the general elections in 2023.
Handing the entire leadership and structure of the party over to the state PDP chairman, Elder Aniekan Akpan, during the ceremony held at the Ibom Hall Ground, Uyo, the state capital, the former national/state YPP Youths Caucus, Prince Kini Ikpeme, said the decision to dump the YPP became necessary in order to support Governor Umo Eno, towards effective implementation of the administration’s policies and programmes under his ‘ARISE Agenda’.
He commended the commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, Mr Frank Archibong, the secretary to the state government (SSG), Prince Enobong Uwah; the immediate past national legal adviser to the PDP, Mr Emmanuel Enoidem (SAN) and the senior special assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Youths Matters, for facilitating their return to their former party.
According to him, the need for Akwa Ibom development far outweighs the individual interest, stressing that such motivation informed the caucus’s resolution to move en-mass into the mainstream of the state politics.
Formally declaring their return to the PDP, on Tuesday March 12 in Uyo, the leadership and structure of YPP Youth Caucus in Akwa Ibom State, expressed their decision to return to the PDP, noting that the party remains the number one choice of Akwa Ibomites since the return of democratic rule, with the leader of the party, Governor Umo Eno, putting the interest of the state and the people above other considerations.
“While we were in the sinking ship of the YPP, we still had the determination to stand firm to the last. Our promise is that we will double that effort and determination to stand with you throughout your tenure. We promise to abide by the rules and regulations of PDP; we will be loyal to our party, the PDP.”
Receiving the defectors back to the PDP fold, the state chairman of the party, Elder Aniekan Akpan, commended the former YPP Youth Caucus for emptying their structure back to the PDP, adding that this is a demonstration of their love for Akwa Ibom State.
He said, “Your decision to come back to your political home, the PDP shows that all of you have recognized the need for Akwa Ibom State to continue on the path of sustained progress and development.
“You have come back to PDP at the very right time. Elections have finished and now is the time for governance. I know that you have come to join in supporting our dear Governor, Pastor Umo Eno to deliver good governance to Akwa Ibom people.”
On his part, the commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, Hon Frank Archibong, lauded the courage of the defectors to identify with good progress by returning to the PDP and to support the ARISE Agenda of Governor Umo Eno, stating that as a father of the state, the governor is always ready to work with everyone in delivering on the promise.
“You have done the right thing by coming back to the party that has produced successive and successful administrations in Akwa Ibom State since the return of democracy in 1999. This is the same party that has produced the government of Pastor Umo Eno, a man who has shown exceptional leadership so far. You are on the right track”, he said.
Also, the senior special assistant to the governor on youth matters, Hon Ini Akpan, welcomed the defectors and assured them of inclusion.
