Breaking: PDP in Closed-Door Meeting Over Ayade’s Defection to APC
- PDP is meeting in Abuja over Governor Ben Ayade's defection to APC
- The governor announced his decision to dump the PDP for the ruling APC on Thursday, May 20
- According to the report, the meeting would discuss the way forward after Ayade's exit
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Apparently rattled by the defection of the governor of Cross Rivers state, Prof. Ben Ayade, to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is currently holding a closed-door meeting in its headquarters, Abuja.
Leadership reports that the meeting started shortly after Governor Ayade’s defection filtered in, adding that the party officials assembled at the office of the national chairman ahead of the emergency meeting.
Source: Twitter
Legit.ng gathered that Governor Ayade had earlier on Thursday, May 20, announced his defection from PDP to APC at the state executive council chamber in Calabar after a two-hour meeting with seven APC governors led by the party’s interim chairman and governor of Yobe state, Mai Mala Buni.
The Punch also reports that the leadership of the PDP has urged its members in the Cross Rivers to remain united.
Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP national publicity secretary, in a statement he issued on Thursday, May 20, wished the governor well in his future endeavours.
Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that Governor Ayade credited President Muhammadu Buhari for his decision to dump the opposition PDP for the APC.
It was reported that the governor said the president has a nationalistic view and hence, the reason why he joined the APC.
He said all governors should leave politics aside and do everything to commit themselves to the vision of the country.
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In a related report, members of the APC were delighted over the defection of Governor Ayade to its fold.
One of those who expressed overwhelming pleasure over this development is the minister of state for labour and employment, Festus Keyamo.
The minister via his Twitter page on Thursday, May 20, referred to Ayade as one of the most progressive, enlightened and accomplished Nigerian governors.
He also revealed that the governor's defection journey started when he paid a private visit to him in Calabar, the state capital about a week ago.
Also, the PDP's south-south zonal chairman, Dan Orbih, faulted the defection of Governor Ayade to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Dan Orbih said it is regrettable and unfortunate that the Cross River state governor decided to join a party that has unleashed hardship on millions of Nigerians.
Source: Legit.ng
