Barring any last-minute change of mind, the member representing Obanliku/Obudu/Bekwarra federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Peter Akpanke, has concluded arrangements to dump the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Guardian learnt that Akpanke has for some time now been romancing with the Deputy Governor, Peter Odey, and this has led to a strained relationship between him and the leader of the PDP in the Northern Senatorial District, Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe.
Sequel to this, Akpanke has been accused by some members of the PDP leadership in the North of playing a double deal by frolicking with the APC leadership in the North, fueling speculations of imminent defection.
A PDP top shot confided in our reporter that the deal for Akpanke to defect to APC was sealed about six months ago but leaked to PDP, leading to the issue being played down.
But Akpanke’s conspicuous absence at Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe’s Town Hall meeting with Obanliku/Obudu/Bekwarra constituents has raised a lot of dust, thereby adding impetus to the defection rumour.
Since 2019, Akpanke has been a member of Jari Movement and Unconquered Generation till 2023 when he won election into the House of Representatives.
Sources close to Akpanke revealed that Akpanke’s plan to defect to APC is not unconnected with the rumour making the rounds that former Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Zana Akpagu, is being drafted in to run for Obanliku/Obudu/Bekwarra Federal House ticket in 2027.
The source said on getting wind of this, Akpanke reached out to his close ally, the Deputy Governor, Peter Odey, who in turn got across to Governor Otu, who immediately arranged for a meeting with him.
So, while Sen Jarigbe was holding a Town Hall meeting in the North, the quartet of Akpanke, Peter Odey, APC State Chairman Alphonsus Eba, and Chief of Staff to Governor Otu, Chief Emmanuel Ironbar, had their own meeting in Abuja to finalize arrangements for Peter’s defection to the ruling party.
Speaking at the Obudu Town Hall meeting, Prof Zana Akpagu said, “For now, I am still an illegal member. I am going to see my ward chairman, chapter chairman, and secretary. I have not officially defected but I am coming back. So, accept me when I come.”
