Osinbajo, Oyegun to Receive Ndoma-Egba, Ebri, Others to APC
Bassey Inyang
Barring any last minute change, all is set for Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie Oyegun, to receive defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Calabar, Cross River State, into the APC.
It was gathered from reliable sources within the APC that the Governor of Nasarawa State, Alhaji Ibrahim Al-Makura, and some members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the APC will also be part of the entourage that will receive the PDP defectors, among them some heavy weight politicians.
THISDAY gathered from sources that preparations are on top gear to formally receive them at a rally billed for the UJ.Esuene Stadium in Calabar at month end when the state chapter of the APC will host the party’s South-south zonal meeting.
Topping the list of those expected to decamp include the former Leader of the Senate, Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN); former Minister of Health and Works, Dr. Emmanuel Nsan, who served during the military regime of President Muhammadu Buhari; former PDP state governorship aspirant, Mr. Goddie Jedy Agba; Chief Utum Eteng and a former PDP senatorial aspirant, Chief Sam Bassey.
Third republic governor of the state, Mr. Clement Ebri, whom sources said worked silently for Buhari during the build-up to the last general election, will formally be received into the party at the rally.
The source also said former governor of the state, Donald Duke, is one of the possible defectors, but he was yet to communicate his final stance as to whether he will join the APC or not.
It was further learnt that discussion was going on between Duke and the national leadership of the APC to dump the PDP.
“The national leaders of APC and Duke have been talking, but I cannot really say what has been agreed. But, Duke’s former Chief of Staff, James Aniyom, will be received into the APC,” the source who pleaded not to be mentioned told THISDAY.
A very reliable source also informed THISDAY that some former board members of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) from the state, among them, Mr. Paul Ada will be formally received from the PDP to the APC during the rally.