2027: Stakeholders Differ on Imoke’s Defection to ADC

The former Governor of Cross River State Senator Liyel Imoke, a founding member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) since 1999, has been the eternal leader of the party (PDP) in Cross River State.
Imoke has been consistent by not jumping ship like other politicians in the country, and that explains why his recent move to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to unseat the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027 was a was a surprised many.
While others said the move was a good one, others criticised it.
Reacting to Imoke’s defection, the State PDP Chairman, Barrister Venatius Ikem, criticised the coalition, saying, “The same people who led and destroyed PDP are converging under a new name instead of rebuilding the Party! Don’t be misled.”
Inok Solomon, former aide to former Governor Ben Ayade, said the decision is good for the state, with the APC trying to make the country a one-party state.
“This is a leader with a founder’s Ideology. The Political Avatar.
“It took him 26 years to stand on what he brought to the state. If he is shifting, it is not for the superficial politics of the day. To him, it is not the political platform that he belongs to that forms his decisions, but his integrity does.
“He is shifting the soul of Cross River politics. Preparing grounds for the state to have a political alternative,” Ibok said.
The social commentator added, “Once upon a time, it was all PDP, today, APC is standing, will it remain forever? What holds for the future and where will the State be?
“People will always set the stage, prepare the grounds and lay foundations upon which many come to build on.
“Sen. Liyel Imoke is best when the future of the state is requiring a new pathways.