By Gabriel Efo
The Organising Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State, Chief Moses Akpan, has likened the dissenting views expressed by a few persons over the eligibility of the party’s gubernatorial candidate, Pastor Umo Eno, to a storm in a tea cup.
Chief Akpan who said this on Wednesday when he appeared as guest on Peace Voice, a Maintain Peace Movement (MPM) sponsored programme on Inspiration 105.9fm, Uyo, was addressing the issue of pockets of defections within the PDP in recent times.
While fielding questions from host of the programme, Mr. Ekomobong Peter, the Organising Secretary noted that defections from one political party to the other was a common phenomenon during politicking periods.
“As far as we are concerned, we see Pastor Umo Eno as the incoming Governor. There is no problem about people expressing their opinion of dissent but it is just like a storm in a tea cup. Very soon, the whole thing will simmer down and you will see the brighter horizon and then we will match forward to the usual victory that PDP is known for.
“Most of them (other aspirants) could not manage their anger and emotions and the only way to vent it is by leaving the party. They should have tried everything possible to exhaust all available avenues of reconciliation which the party has put in place,” he noted.
He blamed the wave of defections from the PDP in Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency on impatience which he said is as a result of lack of steady growth of some of its players through the rank and file of politics.
“In Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency, I am experiencing that kind of trend. But most of the characters involved were just young men who the conveyor belt of grace conveyed from wherever they were before now and put them in the saddle of authority.
“They never really toiled. If you check their record, none of them has been a unit agent. So, the rudiment of politicking might be lacking; that is why the content of patience is equally lacking. Otherwise, if they had passed through the rigours, they would be more patient,” Chief Akpan stated.
While describing Pastor Eno as “a good party man,” Chief Akpan said the party has been enjoying a robust and rewarding relationship with the gubernatorial candidate.
