Boost For PDP As Former APC Guber Running Mate, Okon Dumps Party

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has received Ekpo Okon, a former governorship running mate of the All Progressives Congress in the 2019 election in Cross River State.

Confirming the receipt of Okon to the nation’s opposition party, PDP chairman in the state, Venatius Ikem said a formal reception would be held for Okon and others on Monday at the party secretariat in Calabar.

Naija News reports that Ikem confirmed this in a statement issued on Saturday, December 4.

Okon was a former PDP member and had held the position of a state chairman through 2015 when Senator Liyel Imoke was governor. He held sway as commissioner in two different ministries during the administration of ex-Governor Donald Duke, Naija News understands.

Ikem also confirmed in the statement that former APC stalwarts like former deputy speaker at the state House of Assembly, Dominic Akwa Edem, and former state lawmakers such as BOB from Biase LGA and Hon Wilson Ekpenyong of Odukpani will also be formally welcomed alongside others back to PDP.

He said: “It is the grace of God. Most of them are going to be coming back. We have a very long list of them that are formalising their returns.

“On Monday, we are going to roll out the red carpet and sound the drums to welcome back our members”.

Though Okon has not publicly stated his reason for returning to the umbrella party, there are speculations that he rejoined the party to fuel his 2023 governorship.

Meanwhile, popular Nigerian actor, Yul Edochie has revealed why the former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar should support his presidential ambition.

According to Edochie, Atiku should support him in becoming Nigeria’s president in 2023, the same way he did for him in 2019.

Naija News reports that Edochie in a post on his Instagram account said, “I did it with my full chest, proudly. I did not do it for money. I was not paid to do it. May God punish me if I lie.

“I even resigned from my Government appointment then so I could give Atiku my full support without any hindrance.

“I did it because I want a positive turnaround in our country. I ATIKULATED social media. I ATIKULATED the whole of Anambra State. I ATIKULATED all Nigerian youths who believed in me to stand with Atiku.”

He further stated that it was unfortunate that it turned out the way it did that Atiku lost the election.

“This time around it’s the turn of the South-East to produce the next President. And I have declared my interest to run for President of Nigeria, 2023.

“I hope Atiku will support me the way I supported him. God bless our great country Nigeria,” he said.