At least 37,874 members of opposing political parties in Akwa Ibom State were welcomed into the Peoples Democratic Party by the state governor, Pastor Umo Eno, on Friday.
The governor cautioned the returnees, who were previously part of other political parties such as the All Progressives Congress, Young Progressives Party, New Nigeria People’s Party, and Social Democratic Party, about showing disrespect to leaders, especially at the central level, when receiving them.
He sincerely welcomed the returnees into the party and advised them to refrain from attacking leaders, exemplifying the President of the country, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and emphasized the need to show respect and support to leaders, as pastoral teachings promote humility, compassion, and respect for constituted authorities, which the PDP upholds as a party.
The governor emphasized that the PDP does not belittle leaders and stressed the importance of supporting leaders rather than fighting them, citing his pastoral training as a basis for respecting individuals and showing humility, compassion, and respect for authorities, all of which the party continues to uphold.
He highlighted that growth and progress can only occur in an environment of peace, love, and unity, urging the returnees to merge their previous structures with the PDP structure to demonstrate sincerity and seriousness of purpose.
Eno assured the returnees of equal opportunities to serve in the party and the state, emphasizing that the PDP is inclusive enough to accommodate everyone in the state.
He urged unity among the people to work together for the development of the state, emphasizing the need to put aside ethnic affiliations in the pursuit of the common goal of progress and unity.
He expressed gratitude for their realization and acceptance of the importance of peace and unity in achieving progress and assured them of wholehearted acceptance without discrimination, and instructed the leadership at all levels to receive and collaborate with them for the advancement of the PDP.
The state PDP chairman described the reception rally as the biggest in the state, second only to the rally in December 2022, and promised full reintegration of the returnees, most of whom were former PDP leaders.
He presented the returnees to the governor and the people of the state, pledging to work together to promote the growth of the PDP, noting the returnees' confidence in the achievements of Umo Eno’s administration in just nine months.
The chairman vowed to collaborate with the returnees to ensure the party's growth in the state, recognizing their former leadership positions and their action as an affirmation of confidence in Umo Eno’s administration's achievements in nine months.
He mentioned the availability of compiled data of all the returnees from various units, wards, and local government areas, providing evidence of the number of returnees.
The compilation of the data of those interested in joining the PDP from other parties was carried out on the governor's directive.
The data of over 37,000 members of other political parties who expressed interest in returning to the PDP was recorded following joint efforts with the governor's political advisor, Prince Godwin Ntukude Ph., as explained by Akpan.
Representing the returnees, leaders from different parties, such as the former state secretary of APC, Nkereuwem Enyong Ekere, and Emmanuel Uko Etteh of YPP, stated their genuine willingness to merge their organizations and support the PDP.
However, they expressed appreciation to the governor for the significant investment in agriculture and other impactful projects in just nine months in office.
