The Labour Party (LP) in Cross River State has expressed relief over the departure of certain high-ranking members, specifically describing House of Representatives member Ekpenyong Akiba and former representative Daniel Asuquo as "very ungrateful" to the party.
State Chairman Patriarch Ogar Osim, in a statement released on Sunday, characterized their exit as "a blessing in disguise" and compared the defectors to "the biblical Jonah in the boat" during their time with the party.
"We regret that these officers have been so ungrateful to the party that gave them the platform on a platter of gold to campaign for their electoral victories at the polls," Osim stated.
Chairman Recalls Support for Defector
The chairman recounted how he had faced significant pressure to replace Akiba, who represents Odukpani/Calabar Municipal Federal Constituency, with another aspirant from Odukpani LGA. Osim revealed that his insistence on supporting Akiba enabled the latter to secure his current position in the National Assembly.
"I have done my part to assist him get to where he is today, I am happy I did it for him. Appreciating people is not necessarily out of abundance but it is a virtue," he added.
Despite the criticism of the defectors, Osim encouraged party members to remain "respectful and responsible citizens of the State" and cautioned them against antagonizing the government, urging them instead to support its positive initiatives.
Female Leaders Appointed Following Reshuffling
In a significant development following the defections, the Labour Party has appointed three women to key leadership positions. Mrs. Myra Benson and Mrs. Abigail Ekeng were named as chairpersons for Calabar Municipality and Calabar South LGA chapters respectively, while Mrs. Mary Okon was appointed as the new State Women Leader.
These appointments represent part of a broader reshuffling within the party structure in response to the recent departures of high-ranking members.
The Labour Party's response to these defections highlights ongoing political realignments in Cross River State as parties prepare for future electoral contests.
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