2019: Sen Etang dumps APC, endorses Gov Emmanuel for 2nd term

A chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Senator Etang Edet Umoyo has defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and embraced Governor Udom Emmanuel second term’s ambition in Akwa Ibom.

Senator Umoyo represented Eket Senatorial District between 1999 and 2004 in the National Assembly.

In a mini defection rally at Esit Eket Council Hall, Uquo, christened “The Return of the Legend”, the State Chairman of PDP, Obong Paul Ekpo remarked that the door of the party was opened to receive all members who left the party as “PDP is Akwa Ibom and Akwa Ibom is PDP”.

Ekpo observed that the PDP was the only political party that parades highest number of senators in the state against other parties and urged members to remain united to face any onslaught from any quarter in 2019 general election.

Obong Ekpo regretted any negative decision of the party in the past that caused members as Senator Umoyo to leave.

He assured that Senator Umoyo has returned to what he described as a reformed PDP where power retains with the people.

In his defection speech titled “The Giant Bird has returned home,” Senator Umoyo recalled that he teamed up with elders of the area to form PDP in 1999 which resulted in the Victory of the party in various elections.

Senator Umoyo further explained his roles in agitation for power shift in the state and the need to sustain it; as the former governor Godswill Akpabio was not sincere to the zoning principle of the party when he promised to make Obong Umanah Okon Umanah to succeed him (Akpabio) as the Governor of the State.

Senator Umoyo further told party supporters that he decided to join the PDP to help Governor Emmanuel achieve his second term ambition.

Umoyo who narrated the history of Eket Senatorial District with reference to how Governor Clement Isong in the former Cross River State was robbed of his second term ambition in 1983 and concluded that Eket People would not be denied such opportunity the second time.

Umoyo admitted that he never supported Governor Emmanuel in his first tenure but he assessed the Governor’s performance in the past years in terms of infrastructure and decided to give him a second chance.

“Although I did not subscribe to the process that produced Mr. Emmanuel as Governor, I accorded him the necessary respect and recognition as father of all of us.

“So far, Governor Emmanuel, from my assessment and consensus opinion in Akwa Ibom and beyond is doing well and therefore deserved my support for a second term. I have seen sincere commitment on the part of Governor Udom Emmanuel to leave Akwa Ibom better than he met it”.

Senator Umoyo warned politicians against any attempt to re-invent history to suit their interest.