By Abasi Ita
Former Governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The former governor completed his registration as a member of the ADC at Ward 5, Calabar Municipality, where he was issued a membership card amid applause from party supporters.
Duke’s latest defection marks his second exit from the PDP. He had previously left the party for the Social Democratic Party (SDP), where he emerged as its presidential flag bearer, a development that generated widespread debate at the time.
In a related development, the ADC leadership in Bakassi Local Government Area has intensified its mobilisation efforts, calling on Cross River residents to embrace the party as a viable alternative for national renewal.
The call followed a stakeholders’ meeting attended by chapter executives, ward chairmen and secretaries of the party in the area. Participants at the meeting urged Nigerians to unite and reclaim the country from what they described as years of poor governance under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
A statement released to the press in Calabar on Friday said the ADC was committed to delivering meaningful and people-oriented governance.
“We call on our friends and associates who are yet to take a position to join the ADC, a party determined to bring about positive and transformative change in Nigeria,” the statement read.
The statement, jointly signed by the Bakassi Chapter Chairman, Emmanuel Asuquo, and the Secretary, Eko Boco, also pledged total loyalty to the national leadership of the party.
It reaffirmed confidence in the leadership of Senator David Mark, National Chairman, and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, National Secretary, while pledging support to all recognised organs and structures of the ADC nationwide.