APC to defectors: No automatic tickets for you ...as PDP moves to stop Kierian, Ituen from leaving party
By Kenneth Jude
Defectors to the All Progressives Congress (APC) have been told that they will not be accorded special treatment nor given automatic ticket to pursue their aspirations in the party.
THE INK gathered over the weekend that stakeholders of the party, particularly those that have been members for a long time that those coming in from the PDP should tread with caution as they'll will not be given front row treatment to the detriment of those that have laboured to build the party over the years.
This, it was gathered, is coming in the light of the recent wave of defections to the APC with rumours making the rounds that more politicians may join the party in the coming days.
In a chat with our reporter via a telephone conversation on Monday, a high ranking member of the APC warned against the mindset of defectors that they'll have a soft landing in the party having not found it rosy in the PDP or any other party.
The APC chieftain who pleaded for anonymity opined that it was better for some of those nursing the feeling of defecting to stay put in their party and settle whatever grievances they may have rather than jump ship with the hope of finding it easy in the APC.
He added that while he's not against people joining the APC, he stressed that the party will ensure that there's a level playing field for all without necessarily leaning favourably towards defectors.
"Rather than jump ship, I think they should stay and settle whatever grievances they may have with the leadership of their party. I say this because we may not offer them that smooth ride they expect. While we are open to welcoming defectors, I advise them not to come in with the intention of causing confusion in the party," he said.
Rumours have been rife to the effect that some lawmakers currently in the PDP may soon dump the party for APC. Those suspected to be mulling the idea of joining APC include Hon. Idongesit Ituen, member, Itu State Constituency and Hon. Udo Kierian Akpan, member, Oruk Anam State Constituency.
Idongesit Ituen, it was learnt, may have concluded plans to leave the PDP for APC if the party does not meet up with his demands. Speculations however persist that the Itu man may make good his threat of joining the APC given that he's no longer in the good books of some top PDP members in his area.
Reacting to the planned defection of Hon. Idongesit Ituen, a PDP member said that he's not surprised by the news, adding that the party has since dumped him hence his threat to leave the party is immaterial and a face-serving tactics.
For Udo Kierian Akpan, a two-term legislator who is seeking to return to the House of Assembly, it appears his rumoured plan to join the APC is not unconnected with the obstacles facing his third term aspiration.
But indications that the PDP have swung into action with a bid to ensure they don't lose the former NLC boss at this critical juncture emerged yesterday.
Our reporter gathered that some leading members of the PDP have been mandated to parley with the Oruk Anam born politician. A strong grass roots politician, Udo Kierian Akpan, it is believed, is a strong force in the politics of the state whose support is needed to drive the reelection bid of Governor Udom Emmanuel.
It was learnt on Monday that both Udo Kierian Akpan and Idongesit Ituen were locked in negotiations with the PDP hierarchy in the state with the aim of having both parties strike a common ground.
While news of defections continue to hover in the air, investigation by THE INK reveal that long standing APC members are not willing to sit back and watch defectors hijack the party structure nor altar the existing culture of the APC.
They party, it was learnt, is not disposed to any deal that may tilt towards handing defectors automatic tickets in the party ahead of the forthcoming elections.
A member of the APC who spoke with our reporter over the weekend, maintained that the party is at a critical period for which leaders of the party must manage with care to avoid sinking the party's boat before 2019.
On granting automatic tickets to some defectors, he warned the leadership of the APC against toeing this path, noting that such move will cause disaffection in the party.
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