Senator Aniekan Bassey of the Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District, on Sunday officially joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), receiving his membership card from the South-2 Ward Chairman of the party, Mr. Uko Brendan.
Shortly after his registration, Senator Bassey explained that he had deliberately waited for Governor Umo Eno to officially take the lead by joining the APC on Saturday, in adherence to leadership protocol and as a mark of loyalty to the ideals of responsible follower.
“I had to wait. As a good follower, I allowed our leader, the Governor, who is the leader of the party in the state to take the lead. Now that he has joined, it is only proper that I do the same,” the Senator stated.
The former PDP national lawmaker referenced Section 40, which talks about freedom of association, and Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which permits a member of the National Assembly to defect to another political party where there is division in the political party that sponsored his election, emphasizing that his defection was both constitutionally valid and morally guided.
Senator Bassey further stated that remaining in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would have amounted to jeopardizing the mandate of his constituents.
“I joined the APC for the progress of Uruan, Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District, and Akwa Ibom State,” he said, stressing that the move would also empower him to lend stronger support to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
Expressing deep appreciation for the warm reception he received, Senator Bassey thanked the APC for its overwhelming acceptance, love, and solidarity, promising not to disappoint the party or the people of the area.
He also expressed confidence that his action would promote peace and urged constituents to extend the same level of support and solidarity to Governor Umo Eno.
In his remarks, Ward Chairman Mr. Uko Brendan lauded Senator Bassey for what he described as a “progressive and strategic decision.”
He noted that the Senator’s track record of performance had made his entry into the party a major asset.
Also speaking, the APC Chapter Chairman in Uruan, Hon. Ekong Etim, who witnessed the official registration, presentation of the membership card, and party flag, expressed delight at the Senator’s defection.
He described it as a timely and welcome development that would strengthen the party’s grassroots structure.
