Paradise News

Category: Politics

  • APGA Chairman banned for 10-years over leadership crisis in Anambra

    APGA Chairman banned for 10-years over leadership crisis in Anambra

    By Ovat Abeng

    The Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, Abba Ward Two; in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, Mr Ikechukwu Egbe has been allegedly banned from holding positions in the community for ten years over leadership crisis.

    Mr Egbe, who addressed a press conference in the community on Sunday over the development, said he was banned for agitating against bad leadership in Abba community.

    He said he was also suspended as the Chairman of APGA, Abba Ward Two on a similar ground.

    He alleged that the Deputy Majority Leader of the Anambra State House of Assembly and member representing Njikoka Two Constituency, Hon Jude Akpua, and the President General of Abba Town Union, Mr Alexander Ekwuagana, connived to orchestrate the ban and suspension respectively.

    Read Also: “Days of the Jackals: A Clarion Call to the Electorates of Cross River North”

    He said the development is to force him to withdraw from his fight against illegality in the town.

    According to him, speaking to you Journalists is to let the Solution Governor of Anambra State, Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo, the leadership of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, led by Barr Sly Ezeokenwa, and the public at large to know what is happening in Abba community under the poor leadership of Mr. Ekwuagana, who he said has stubbornly refused to step down and constitute a committee to conduct a fresh PG election in accordance with the community’s constitution.

    “Abba is known for peace. What I and other concerned stakeholders in the community are agitating for is a new leadership. We want a new Abba Town Union leadership that would work in line with Governor Soludo’s vision of making Anambra a clean, green, smart, peaceful, secure, livable and prosperous homeland in Nigeria. We are tired of Alexander Ekwuagana’s five years interim leadership.

    “We are appealing to the Governor to compel the lawmaker, Hon Akpua and the PG, Mr Ekwuagana to urgently conduct a fresh President General election to save the community from distress. Mr Ekwuagana should respectfully resign. I am only agitating for him to step aside for the community to have a new leadership.

    On his suspension as APGA Abba Ward Two Chairman, Mr Egbe, while disclosing that he has been on the illegal suspension since January 7, 2025, also appealed to the Governor to direct the State Chairman of the party, Barr Ifeatu Obi-Okoye, and the Lawmaker, Hon Akpua to restate him, noting that he was duly elected as the chairman of Abba through the party’s Congress.

    Responding to the allegations, the President General of Abba Town Union, Mr Ekwuagana, said Mr Egbe has taken the matter to the High Court 3, Neni sitting at Ogidi, in Idemili North Local Government Area of the State in December 2024. “Let us allow the court to determine the matter, please.”

    Also, attempts to speak with Hon. Akpua proved abortive as the Lawmaker didn’t pick his calls or reply to the text messages sent to him via SMS and Whatsapp after several hours.

  • “Days of the Jackals: A Clarion Call to the Electorates of Cross River North”

    “Days of the Jackals: A Clarion Call to the Electorates of Cross River North”

    By Dr Paul Udayi

    As the political drums begin their thunderous roll towards the 2027 general elections, I, Paul Udayi, find it both a solemn duty and a sacred obligation to speak to my compatriots of Cross River North. We stand once again at the crossroads of destiny, and it is incumbent upon us to rouse ourselves from slumber and face the realities that have long plagued our polity.

    We are witnessing what can only be termed the days of the jackals—a season wherein political scavengers, emboldened by years of unmerited entrenchment, roam the landscape with a grotesque sense of entitlement. These political mandarins, having ensconced themselves in the echelons of power for what seems an interminable era, now parade themselves with the hauteur of demi-gods, believing that political office is their birthright and the masses mere serfs at their beck and call.

    This lamentable reality must now be met with righteous indignation. We must summon these self-anointed barons to the court of public accountability. The era of political handouts—those paltry alms tossed to the masses with a sneer of condescension—is over. No longer shall we accept the psychological abuse wherein the legitimate expectations of good governance are portrayed as rare favours, dispensed only to the politically loyal or the spiritually broken.

    The time has come for a new ethos: henceforth, anyone—especially those seasoned veterans who have fed fat on the commonwealth—aspiring to any office must render a full, detailed, and verifiable account of their stewardship. They must, with unerring precision and incontestable evidence, disclose the quality and quantity of their contributions to the common good. Flowery rhetoric, vague promises, and empty platitudes will no longer suffice to beguile a discerning populace.

    Read Also: UNICAL Inducts 321 Into Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology

    I solemnly admonish every citizen: be not seduced by the ephemeral trinkets and tokens that politicians hurl like crumbs before hungry subjects. These so-called “gifts” are nothing but Greek wooden horses, laced with treachery, designed to breach the citadel of our collective wisdom—much like the doomed city of Troy. Such blandishments are a calculated insult to our sensibilities and a means to enthrone the giver as a demi-god, while the people are reduced to vassals.

    At this critical juncture, we must rise as sentinels of our own destiny. We must be wiser, more vigilant, and unyieldingly proactive. We must reject the beguiling wiles of seasoned deceivers who come cloaked in ephemeral generosity yet bear no record of genuine service. Let us sharpen our discernment, fortify our collective resolve, and at the appointed hour, use the sacred ballot box as an altar of justice, where betrayal is punished and true stewardship rewarded.

    Let it be known far and wide: the days when politicians bestride our land like colossi, unchallenged and unrepentant, are drawing swiftly to a close. A new dawn beckons—a season wherein only those who can account for every iota of their stewardship with integrity and transparency shall be deemed worthy of the people’s trust.

    The jackals may roam for a season, but the reckoning is at hand.

  • Anambra 2025: YPP candidate, Chukwuma unveils Obiano’s aide as running mate

    Anambra 2025: YPP candidate, Chukwuma unveils Obiano’s aide as running mate

    By Ovat Abeng

    The candidate of the Young Progressive Party YPP, ahead of the November 8, 2025 governorship election in Anambra State, Sir Paul Chukwuma has unveiled Hon Uzo Okagbue as his running mate for the election.

    It was gathered that Okagbue, a native of Umonachi community, Dunukofia Local Government Area of the State was a Chief Protocol Officer to former governor of the state, Chief Willie Obiano.

    The unveiling ceremony took place at the State party Secretariat Udoka Housing Estate Awka, on Friday.

    Speaking to journalists shortly after the unveiling, Sir Chukwuma said Okagbue was chosen to deputize him after a wide consultation with God Almighty, his family members, clergies, party executive and other relevant stakeholders across the 21 local government area of the State.

    Read Also: C’River Illegal Mining: A Call To Protect Cross River’s Land and Future – Ekamoti Agbor

    He expressed confident that with Okagbue and his long time grassroot mobilization strategies, the party is fully position to take over power from the ruling All Progressive Grand Alliance APGA led by governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo.

    In his acceptance speech, Hon Okagbue, promised to display his political strategy to ensure that the party wins the November 8 gubernatorial election and governed the State from March 17th, 2026.

    He appreciated the party for finding him worthy of the position.

    The event witnessed by other supporters of the party was officiated by the State Chairman, Hon Moses Obi.

  • Oden Ewa’s Critical Interventions, Growing Influence Reason for Sen. Eteng’s Emergency Awakening – PDP Chieftain Admits

    Oden Ewa’s Critical Interventions, Growing Influence Reason for Sen. Eteng’s Emergency Awakening – PDP Chieftain Admits

    The Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), in Boki Local Government Area, one of the constituent local governments of the Central Senatorial District, Hon. Fabian Okwaji has taken a swipe on the Senator of the Central Senatorial District, describing his new found love for party stakeholders and charity as a desperate attempts to secure goodwill after neglecting the people for over two years and as “Emergency representative awakening”. Hon Fabian said that all this was being motivated by the growing influence of Hon. Oden Ewa, the Commissioner for Special Duties.

    The remark which was made by the stakeholder on his personal Facebook page, has drawn up yet again the conversation around the sudden appointments of liaison officers, sudden visit of the Senator to a hospital, and the emergency convergence of party faithfuls.

    For Okwajie, the People of Central Senatorial District, have Hon. Oden Ewa to thank, who in his words have filled the gap created by the lacuna of leadership in the Senatorial District over the last years, adding that the people are watching closely with a view at deciphering the antics of self serving politicians who are now jostling to make a show.

    In his words; “We, the people of Cross River Central Senatorial District, owe a profound sense of gratitude to Hon. Oden Ewa, the Commissioner for Special Duties, for his commendable efforts in recent times. His visible commitment and grassroots impacts have, without doubt, served as a catalyst prompting Senator Eteng Jonah Williams to recognize the growing urgency in addressing the challenges of ineffective representation within our senatorial district.”

    Read Also: Oden Ewa Foundation: Ugep General Hospital Records More Life-Saving Surgeries

    Oden Ewa is the Commissioner for Special duties in Cross River State, and a rumored contender for the seat in 2027, despite being a member of the APC the comment from the PDP chieftain demonstrates a growing influence across party lines and a favourable public opinion held by majority of people in the Senatorial District.

  • 2027: Amawbia community declares support for Tinubu’s reelection bid

    2027: Amawbia community declares support for Tinubu’s reelection bid

    By Ovat Abeng

    The people of Amawbia community in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, has pledged their support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    The declaration was made by one of the community leader and a retired Director of Finance and Account, Federal Ministry of Education, Ozonkpu Eddy Nwokoye, on Wednesday, at the community town hall, while speaking to Journalists shortly after a grand reception organised in honour of the Director General, Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), Dr Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, who is also an illustrious son of the town.

    Nwokoye who is the chairman of the occasion, said the community’s support for Tinubu’s reelection bid is an appreciation for appointing their son as SON DG and for other tremendous achievements the President have recorded so far within one year and eleven months in office.

    According to him, the only major way to appreciate our President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing our son, Dr Okeke as the SON DG is for us as peace-loving community to declared our full support for the President reelection bid come 2027 general elections and the support cut across political placement.

    “Our gathering here today also symbolizes our shared desire for a united Amawbia community and to honoured our two illustrious sons, the SON DG, Dr Okeke and the Deputy Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Chukwuma Okoye for their various contributions to the development of the town.

    Nwokoye equally commended Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo for the numerous infrastructural projects he has executed within three years of his administration in Anambra State.

    In his remarks, the  President-General of Amawbia Town Union (ATU), Nze Chukwukadibia Odumodu, emphasized the need for unity among the people, especially in navigating the development of the community

    The event also witnessed the presence of SON staff from Anambra State office, political stakeholders from various parties, youth and women leaders, among others.

  • Endorsement of state, federal lawmakers from Yakurr undermines Gov Otu, APC leadership – Group

    Endorsement of state, federal lawmakers from Yakurr undermines Gov Otu, APC leadership – Group

    By Our Reporter

    A political pressure group, Advocates For Good Governance In Central Senatorial District (AGGCSD), has expressed its disapproval of the purported endorsement of some state and federal lawmakers of Yakurr origin for the 2027 general elections.

    The group in a statement on Wednesday 23 April, 2025, said the action of those involve in the charade directly challenges and undermines the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River.

    Below is the statement;

    ENDORSEMENT OF ELECTED OFFICIALS OTHER THAN THE GOVERNOR AND DEPUTY, IS NULL AND VOID

    “Only the Governor and His Deputy are guaranteed a return ticket ” Alphonsus Eba (State Chairman,  APC CRS)

    The attention of well meaning party faithfuls and advocates of good governance of Central Senatorial District has been drawn to a purported gathering to endorse elected members of Yakurr origin at both State and Federal levels.

    We wish to state categorically that such desperate attempts to secure goodwill is not only laughable but another purid attempt to undermine the Leadership of the All Progressives Congress, Cross River State.

    This attempt calculated to deceive party faithfuls goes to show the utter disregard for the party’s position that, only The Governor and His Deputy are guaranteed a return ticket.

    This Position was expressly communicated by the State Party Chairman, in his statewide press conference held on the 1st of April, 2025.  A position that was consolidated at the enlarged Caucus meeting held on the 15th of April,  2025 at the HOGIS Royal Hotel, Calabar.

    Quoting the Chairman verbatim;

    “In the Politics of Cross River State, we want to use this opportunity to make it widely known. That anybody who aspires to run for any office apart from the Office of the Governor and deputy Governor of the State, those who are already sitting, they have the right to aspire, those who intend to take over those seats from them, also have the right to aspire, and we have not given automatic seats or ticket to anybody, apart from the Governor and Deputy Governor.”

    We therefore admonish the Leadership of Yakurr LGA to be wary of such nefarious antics of those who are selfishly seeking to assume Par with their excellencies by ambushing and cajoling the party leaders to extend  such endorsement to themselves.

    It is therefore herein stated that any such endorsement is not only null and void but inconsequential and should be completely disregarded. As it defies not just the prevailing reality but seeks to put our LGA in bad light. 

    We therefore join our voices with those of reason, and statesmen Iike Chief Obono  Obla who have boldly come out to condemn such fictitious endorsement charades.

  • Keir Starmer welcomes ‘much-needed clarity’ after Supreme Court gender ruling

    Keir Starmer has welcomed the landmark ruling that biological sex should determine whether people can use same-sex spaces.

    In his first comments since the verdict, the prime minister said he was “really pleased” that the Supreme Court announcement has given “much-needed clarity” on gender issues. 

    The UK’s highest court, delivering its judgement last Wednesday, ruled that the terms “woman” and “sex” in the 2010 Equality Act “refer to a biological woman and biological sex”.

    On a visit to a school in south-west England, Starmer told the BBC: “I welcome the decision of the Supreme Court, which has given us clarity, much-needed clarity, and I think for those that are now drawing up guidance, it’s a much clearer position.

    “So I’m really pleased that the court has now clarified the position. We can move on from there and I think that’s been very helpful, and I would welcome that.”

    ***Politics.co.uk is the UK’s leading digital-only political website. Subscribe to our daily newsletter for all the latest news and analysis.***

    Asked further whether this means he does not believe a trans woman is in fact a woman, the PM said: “A woman is an adult female, and the court has made that absolutely clear.”

    Starmer also suggested guidance needs to be shared to public bodies to ensure all organisations following the ruling.

    “We need to move and make sure that we now ensure that all guidance is in the right place according to that judgment”, he told ITV West Country.

    Bridget Phillipson, the equalities minister and education secretary, is expected to give a House of Commons statement on the Supreme Court’s ruling as parliament returns from Easter recess on Tuesday.

    The prime minister had faced criticised for not commenting or issuing a statement on the court’s ruling since it was unveiled on Wednesday.

    Speaking on Tuesday morning, Conservative spokesperson Chris Philp said the prime minister should apologise “to the country” and to a former Labour MP for his previous comments on gender identity.

    Philp, the shadow home secretary, told Sky News: “Keir Starmer has been all over the place on this. He claimed a year or two ago, that women could have penises, which is ridiculous.

    “He even drove Rosie Duffield out of the Labour Party for taking a common sense view of this issue, which has now been vindicated by the Supreme Court judgement.

    “So Keir Starmer should apologise to the country for what he said a few years ago. He should particularly apologise to Rosie Duffield for driving her out of the Labour Party on this issue. So I completely welcome the Supreme Court judgement.”

    Philp added: “Keir Starmer has been totally silent on this issue, for the last 6 or 7 days since that ruling came out.”

    Josh Self is Editor of Politics.co.uk, follow him on Bluesky here.

    Politics.co.uk is the UK’s leading digital-only political website. Subscribe to our daily newsletter for all the latest news and analysis.

    Source: Politics

  • Former adviser to David Cameron announces run for California governor

    A former key adviser to David Cameron has announced he is running for governor of California in 2026.

    In a video announcement posted to X, Steve Hilton highlighted his past growing up in London and working in 10 Downing Street. The businessman, author and media personality criticised the leaders who have long held power in the famously Democrat-voting “blue state”.

    “This is not just any other state. California means to America what America means to the world”, Hilton said. “Let’s make California the land of opportunity again. Great jobs, great homes, great kids.”

    “There’s only one way to do that”, he added. “We’ve got to end the one-party rule that got us into this mess. It’s time to end the years of Democrat failure.”

    Hilton, author of Califailure, said in his campaign launch video that he was inspired to work with former UK prime minister Margaret Thatcher after leaving university (New College, Oxford).

    He went on to serve as director of strategy for David Cameron, and was seen as a driving force behind the former Conservative leader’s bid to modernise his party. 

    Hilton, famous for padding around Downing Street in bare feet, was satirised by the BBC comedy The Thick of It as the herbal-tea drinking publicist Stewart Pearson.

    ***Politics.co.uk is the UK’s leading digital-only political website. Subscribe to our daily newsletter for all the latest news and analysis.***

    Hilton is the second prominent Republican to enter the 2026 gubernatorial race. No member of the GOP (Grand Old Party) has won the governor’s race since Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2006.

    Speaking to Fox News on Monday, Hilton said that California “really reminds me of Britain in the 1970s.”

    He said: “The UK was called the ‘sick man of Europe’. There’s no other way of looking at California today than the ‘sick man of America’.”

    Gavin Newsom, the incumbent governor, is termed out of the race. Media reporting in the United States suggests Kamala Harris, the former vice president, is among the Democrats considering running to replace Newsom.

    Hilton and his wife moved to California in 2012, while she worked for Google and he taught at Stanford University. He hosted “The Next Revolution”, a weekly show on Fox News from 2017 to 2023, and is the founder and former CEO of Crowdpac, a tech startup.

    Hilton is an ardent supporter of president Donald Trump and called for an investigation into the 2020 presidential election when Trump lost to Joe Biden.

    Hilton has already been endorsed by former presidential candidate and current Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.

    “Steve Hilton represents American excellence. He’s a great entrepreneur & communicator, and he’ll be a dominant Governor of California”, Ramaswamy posted to X on Monday afternoon. “I’ve known him for years [and] enjoyed welcoming him to Ohio for our launch in Feb. He has my full endorsement.”

    Hilton responded: “An incredible honor to be endorsed for California governor by my friend  [Vivek Ramaswamy] who will be a fantastic governor of Ohio! We both believe so deeply in the strength and energy of our people, and this great nation. Winners not whiners!!”

    Josh Self is Editor of Politics.co.uk, follow him on Bluesky here.

    Politics.co.uk is the UK’s leading digital-only political website. Subscribe to our daily newsletter for all the latest news and analysis.

    Source: Politics

  • Julie Minns: ‘Democracy suffers when blind and partially sighted voters can’t make their mark with dignity’

    As a Member of Parliament, I always look forward to local elections. They’re a vital opportunity for communities to shape the future of their neighbourhoods, hold elected representatives accountable, and make their voices heard. There’s an unmistakable buzz in the air during campaign season — door knocking, lively debates, and a real sense of civic engagement. It’s democracy in its most local and personal form.

    And yet for many blind and partially sighted voters, elections mean exclusion, uncertainty and humiliation. I want to fix that.

    On Thursday 1 May, elections will be held for 23 councils and six Mayors in England. Around a third of electors in England are eligible to vote, and more than 1,600 councillors will be elected. Even more excitingly, next year — pending the results of the consultation on Cumbria’s proposal for a directly elected Mayor — Cumbrians could head to the polls to elect our first Mayor. But in all of these elections, will blind and partially sighted voters be able to make their choices in secret?

    It’s been more than 150 years since the Ballot Act 1872 guaranteed the right to vote in secret, but for thousands of people with sight loss, this has never been a reality.

    Let’s rewind, not to the late nineteenth century but to the late twentieth; it was the 1990s when I first began work on this issue. Sadly, I’m not quite young enough for this to have been a school project — it was actually an excellent campaign led by the disability charity Scope, for whom I had the privilege of working at that time. I would love to say that all the issues we identified have been resolved. Many were, but nearly three decades on, too many remain.

    There’s no doubt that we care about electoral integrity, evidenced by the media debate on Artificial Intelligence and the risk it poses to democracy. Yet accessible voting for so many in our society has not been addressed. The law mandates ‘reasonable adjustments’ for voters with disabilities, but all too often these promises fall short in practice — and our democracy is all the poorer for it.

    Recognising that there is still a long way to go when it comes to ensuring our democracy is open to all, I have introduced a Ten-Minute Rule Bill: the Elections (Accessibility for Blind Voters) Bill. Garnering diverse cross-party support, the Bill sets out the barriers facing voters with sight loss as well as the simple solutions available to make voting more accessible.

    At its core, this bill makes clear that depriving people with sight loss of their ability to vote independently and in secret is a breach of basic human rights. Anna Tyler, RNIB Chair of Trustees tells me that a secret ballot is key to a healthy democracy and yet too many still cannot vote independently without fear of someone interfering with their vote either explicitly or implicitly. The simple fact is that the majority of blind voters cannot independently review the information on the ballot paper or make their mark under the current voting system.

    But this is not out of reach. The technology is available, and the solutions are low-cost and effective. It’s really not rocket science: an audio-tactile device enables blind and partially sighted people to vote independently and in secret. This device, the McGonagle Reader, is the best solution currently available. Its tactile overlay is placed on top of the ballot paper, and the integrated audio player plays an audio recording of the candidate list. This combination allows blind voters to easily navigate and mark the ballot paper with autonomy, dignity and certainty.

    A recent UK trial found that the audio-tactile device enabled 93% of participants to vote independently and in secret. I find it truly extraordinary that in 2025, when the world has advanced in so many ways, these solutions are still not routinely available in our polling stations as standard.

    In the run up to these elections, I’m backing RNIB’s call for audio tactile solutions to be made available for all voters with sight loss. The charity’s research following the last general election was unequivocal: the voting experience of blind and partially sighted people won’t improve without significant changes to the system.

    According to RNIB’s 2024 Turned Out report, only a quarter of voters with sight loss felt that the current system allowed them to vote independently and in secret. I simply won’t accept that it’s good enough that only half of blind and partially sighted voters were satisfied with their voting experience, and that nearly three quarters did not even know that they could request reasonable adjustments from their local polling station.

    It’s safe to say that much remains to be done to address this issue. This must start with policymakers and electoral officials recognising that action is needed and finding ways forward to ensure solutions are routinely available in polling stations up and down the country. I will continue to play my part in working with the government to address this injustice in any upcoming legislation on elections.

    Let’s make each election more inclusive than the last. I urge all blind and partially sighted voters to visit the RNIB website to learn how to request reasonable adjustments when they vote.

    Politics.co.uk is the UK’s leading digital-only political website. Subscribe to our daily newsletter for all the latest news and analysis.

    Source: Politics

  • Gov Otu’s exceptional performance has made APC attractive, Oden Ewa says as he welcomes defectors in Ugep

    Gov Otu’s exceptional performance has made APC attractive, Oden Ewa says as he welcomes defectors in Ugep

    By Kelvin Obambon

    There is no other silver bullet that makes the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River more attractive to members of opposition parties than the exceptional performance and purposeful leadership of the state governor.

    This was the view of the Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Hon. Oden Ewa. He stated this on Saturday 19 April, 2025, when he and other leaders of the APC received hundreds of members of opposition parties that decamped to the APC in Ugep, Yakurr local government area.

    According to the Commissioner, people will seek to belong to a Party where there is a clear sense of direction, purpose and visionary leadership which are essential for peace and stability. He said beyond the Party, Governor Bassey Otu has continue to set new benchmark for governance in the state as visibly demonstrated in the incredible achievements recorded just within two years in office.

    Oden Ewa stated that those who defected to the APC are people that love the progress and development of Cross River State, hence their defection is a reflection of their support and endorsement of the Governor’s good works.

    Read Also: Peter Obi meets Quadri Yusuf Alabu after his release from detention (photos)

    “Welcome to a party that resonates with the sweetness of the season. Your decision to join the party is not farfetched. I know your decision to join the party is because you have seen the good works that the leader of this party,  His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Otu has been doing. Two weeks ago we received an award on behalf of the Governor, as the Best Governor in Nigeria for his economic transformation.

    “I want to say here today that there’s no politics without the economics of the people. And the governor has done so well. He’s the first amongst equals. Is it Edo, is it Imo? Everywhere he goes he delivers. And that is what APC, the party you just joined represents. We represent progress, we represent the people,” he said.

    Some of the bigwigs that defected to the APC with their supporters were Obol Dr Thomas Ofem aka Bob T; Prince Nolly Abam Inah; Ojeje Marcus Okoi; Arikpo Ubongha Eyong; Archibong Okoi Obuli among others.

    Dr Abubakar Efoli, Vice Chairman of APC Central, received the defectors on behalf of the state chairman, Barr. Alphonsus Eba.