In a significant political twist in Cross River State, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Professor Zana Akpagu, has officially defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The high-profile defection took place in Kakum, Obudu, in the northern senatorial district of the state.
The chairman of the PDP in Cross River, Venatius Ikem, confirmed Akpagu’s defection, describing it as a major boost for the party’s strength and influence in the region. He revealed that the former VC did not return alone but came with a large contingent of loyal supporters, many of whom are his former students and political associates.
Ikem added that the party remains deeply rooted in the northern part of the state and that more defections were imminent.
“Many have been waiting for the right moment to return home,” he said. “With the return of Prof. Akpagu, we are more formidable than ever in Cross River North.”
Professor Akpagu, who once served as a special adviser in government and notably led the campaign team of the incumbent Governor Bassey Otu during the last general election, said his decision to return to PDP was both personal and strategic.
In a phone interview on Sunday, he dismissed the influence of the APC, stating that its so-called political might holds no sway over him or his supporters.
“I’m not afraid. The APC’s perceived might cannot intimidate my people. Life is about taking risks,” he said.
Addressing the trend of defections in the opposite direction, Akpagu used a vivid analogy to explain his move.
“An orchestra conductor doesn’t face the audience, but that doesn’t reduce his value. Eagles don’t flock; they fly alone. I’ve simply returned to my original home—the PDP,” he stated.
He also noted that many politicians in the country are PDP at heart, with only a few exceptions.
“Most of them are PDP in spirit and blood, except maybe President Bola Tinubu, who has remained consistent in one party,” he added.
Akpagu’s return to the PDP marks a strategic gain for the party ahead of future elections, especially in the politically influential northern Cross River region.
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