Edward Etta Ogon, who represented Ikom/Boki Federal Constituency from 2003-2007, in Nigeria’s House of Representatives on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, over the weekend told a large gathering of friends, colleagues, well wishers and political stakeholders that the fragmentation in the PDP, which led to the exclusion of key stakeholders from the ward and local government congresses has eventually led to a large segment of the PDP moving to the All Progressives Congress.
Ogon who at a well attended event in Nsadop, Boki LGA, formally defected to the APC, however maintained that while his political goals have not changed the present political circumstances means he must seek a different political platform for better political expression.
He maintained to www.calitown.com that his defection to the APC “has not been without deep soul searching as I confront the queries and criticisms from our people across the country. The moral dilemma of leaving a platform that nurtured me to this stage in politics is beyond the purview of what we can immediately see. To do so would be unethical and I run the risk of floundering. My defection supports His Excellency, Ben Ayade, the leader of the party, as he strives to bring economic growth to our state, despite our meagre resources. The socio political impact of his”food on the table”policy cannot be underestimated, especially on the sub-economy of the State.”
Still speaking, he went on to say that, “my movement is also a pivotal strategy in harnessing and bringing to my people the benefits of belonging to a ruling party. Again too, the All Progressive Party, by its constitution, offers a clearer democratic path for a more all-inclusive representation for everyone. I am prepared to work with all stakeholders, in line with the APC Constitution, to ensure the internal democracy necessary for the party to succeed is upheld. We must show courage in the face of the challenges ahead.”
The Special Adviser, Mortgage Finance and Estate Development, CRS, further urged all his supporters to come together and work with the governor “in this definitive movement and the promise it holds for Cross River State.”