BY: Chioma Onuegbu, Uyo
THERE is a rumour that some members of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly elected on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP may defect to the All Progressives Congress, APC, alongside the past governor Senator Godswill Akpabio if the news making the rounds within the state capital since Monday is anything to go by.

AkwaIbom lawmakers with the governor

According to sources in the House of Assembly on Monday about fourteen Lawmakers are planning to join the APC after the Mega reception of Akpabio into the APC fold Wednesday at Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium.

This is even as 24 out of the 26 state Lawmakers led by the Speaker of the state House of Assembly Mr. Onofiok Luke same Monday evening paid a visit to the state Governor Mr. Udom Emmanuel at the government House Uyo to reaffirm their support to the Governor and loyalty to the party.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Luke said, “We came with the understanding that we were elected by Akwa Ibom people on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP and that the leader of our party, the state governor has performed well. We on that platform of Peoples Democratic Party have come to show solidarity because he has performed well.

As members of the state legislature We were not elected as governors or members of the House of Assembly to be able to think about our personal interest; We were elected to carter for the well-being of Akwa Ibom people .

“And we came here to show that he is our candidate for 2019 and that we will do all within our powers and all within the law to ensure that he returns to this Hilltop Mansion to complete his tenure as Governor just like every other person did in Akwa Ibom State in 2023. Your Excellency, this House of Assembly is with you and we want Nigeria to know that the House is totally with you”

Among the state Lawmakers speculated that were planning to defect to APC with Akpabio include NSE Ntuen representing Essien Udim State constituency, where senator Godswill Akpabio hails from, House Leader Rt. Honourable Udo Kieran Akpan representing Oruk Anam state constituency, Mark Esset representing Nsit Atai and Victor Udofia of Ikono state constituency.

However, in press statement obtained by Vanguard yesterday two Lawmakers Victor Udofia and Mark Esset debunked the online publication that had fingered them among those planning to defect from PDP.

Udofia in his statement said, “Following trending stories of the purported defection of the Senator Representing Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District in the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and rumoured plans by some party members in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District to follow suit, I, Rt.Hon. Victor Charles Udofia, the member representing Ikono State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly wish to state here unequivocally that:

” As a long standing, card carrying member of the Peoples Democratic Party who has benefitted immensely from the magnanimity of the party, i remain unshakably committed to the Party and it’s cause in the State and beyond. As a product of the PDP, my solidarity to her is sure footed and i have no reasons to join any other party. Hence, such rumours should be disregarded.

” Ikono people commend His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel for his superior development strides and pledge their unalloyed support for his well thought out agenda, policies and programmes geared towards repositioning Akwa Ibom State. We are not oblivious of your several interventions in Ikono, hence your re-election is assured.

” As member representing Ikono State Constituency in the State House of Assembly, i have the mandate to speak the minds of the good people of Ikono. Therefore having consulted widely with stakeholders of Ikono, we have unanimously resolved to support and return Governor Udom Emmanuel to the Hilltop Mansion come 2019.

“There are no factions or divisions in Ikono and as such her people condemn any attempt by persons or group of persons to heat up the polity or create friction in the Ikono Party Structure. Ikono LGA remains true and true a PDP enclave and we will not shift grounds”

Similarly Mark Esset in a statement by Nsisong George Etukudo, his Senior Special. Assistant on Media & Publicity captioned MARK ESSET ALLEGED PLAN TO DEFECT TO APC reads, “I wish to state here unequivocally that Rt. Hon. Mark Esset is not consciously or unconsciously making any plans to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressive Congress (APC).

Rt. Honourable Mark Esset has made his stance known and I quote; “I will be a true Soldier (PDP Member) and I will ‘die’ at my post”. He is a firm believer and supporter of the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel to complete his 8 years as the Executive Governor in 2023.

” He is still steadfast to his conviction to represent his constituents under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) come 2019. Mark Esset has assured his constituents and the entire public to dissuade their minds off the fake rumours making the rounds of his planned defection and that his Loyalty to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is sacrosanct”

However, two other Lawmakers Nse Ntuen and Kierian Akpan also named in the defection plot are said to be outside the country for Ati Annang event, even as the names other Lawmakers allegedly involved in the planned defection is expected to be revealed as events unfolds.