The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday has received Thirty Seven thousand, Eight hundred and Seventy Four (37,874) members of the opposition party in Akwa Ibom state.
The State governor, Pastor Umo Eno, while receiving the returnees who hitherto were members of the All Progressives Congress, Young Progressives Party, New Nigeria People’s Party, and Social Democratic Party among other political parties, cautioned them against disrespect to leaders, especially at the centre.
“We welcome you sincerely into our party, The PDP is not a party that insults leaders, as you come back, one of the things I want you to drop is an attack on leaders. For example, the President of the country, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We have to show him optimum respect and support.
“The PDP I run doesn’t attack leaders. We have to support leaders and not fight them because as a pastor, I am trained to respect people. We must show the character of humility, compassion, and respect to constituted authorities. That we will continue to do as a party, “the governor stated.
He stressed that growth and progress can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace, love and unity, urging them to collapse all past structures in their possession to the PDP structure to show sincerity of purpose and seriousness.
Eno promised the returnees equal opportunities to serve in the party and the state, as the PDP umbrella is large enough to accommodate everybody in the state.
“If we truly love our state, if we truly love the people, let us realise that we have no other than Akwa Ibom and we need to work together as a people irrespective of ethnic affection.
“Thank you for coming to this realisation, we receive you today because we are one, we come from one stock, thank you for understanding that it is only in the atmosphere of peace and unity that there can be progress. We have accepted you wholeheartedly, without segregation. We have spoken to the leadership of all the units, wards, and local government areas to receive and work with you for the growth of the PDP, “he maintained.