[dropcap]S[/dropcap]enator Eme Ekaette, representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial zone and former state deputy governor, Mrs Valerie Ebe on Tuesday defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Others that defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC are retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Udom Ekpoudom and former Chairman of Eka Local Government, Mr Francis Ikpon.
The state Chairman of APC, Mr Ini Okpobodi, received the defectors at a solidarity district rally and reception held for Obong Nsima Ekere at Eket. Okpobodi said at the occasion that the PDP had virtually collapsed in the state.
“On behalf of Akwa Ibom APC, I stand as Chairman to receive the latest members of our party in their hundreds in the state. “They are here ably led by former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom, Mrs Valerie Ebe and Distinguished Sen. Eme Ekaette.
Okpobodi handed over the defectors to the National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole, represented by the National Vice-Chairman of APC South-South, Mr Hillary Eta.
Eta expressed delight at the defection of the former PDP chieftains into APC fold, describing the defectors as `wonderful Nigerians’.