Rep Appeals to PDP Leaders to Halt Defection

From: Diana Okon-Effiong, Calabar

The Leadership of People’s Democratic Party has been told to checkmate further defection of PDP House of Representatives’ members to other political parties.

The appeal was made by the Member representing Akpabuyo/Bakassi/Calabar South Federal Constituency, Rep. Essien Ayi, while interacting with journalists in Calabar. He also alleged that there were several moves for more members to defect when the House resumes from Christmas holidays.

He said: “Well, it is true that, we have had a lot of defections in the House. It is also true that even some others are threatening to go. But all what I will advise my party the PDP is that, they should sit up. If they do not sit up, if we take things for granted, it may be very difficult for us. Whatever they can do to put the party back in shape and bring everybody together, they should try and do it.”

The lawmaker said that, many members of the house have been under pressure to defect, but stressed that, as a founding member of PDP, he would not leave the party.

“A lot of us have been under pressure to join these other political parties with very serious inducements. That if you are a greedy person, you may not be able to look the other way but that notwithstanding, I happen to be one of those who originally started the party. I am one of the founding members of the party and within me, if they happen to allow the party to go the way it is going now. It will pain me because, I know how we suffered to make the party what it is today”, Ayi said.

He said that the current leadership struggle in the ruling party was capable of destroying it and advised those responsible for the crises to sheathe their swords and allow peace to reign.

“So, my advice to the gladiators, because, there are so many gladiators, who are trying to show their powers, is that, they should tread carefully so that they should not destroy our party”, he said.

Ayi said, he was ready to join forces in ensuring that the party remained intact and strong at the national and state levels.

“We will do everything to protect the PDP. It is our party even at the state level, but my advice is that, they should tread carefully. They should tread with caution, if we do not take precaution, our party will stand to lose. Even at the state level, they should stop intimidation and threat”, he said.