The Labour Party, LP, in Cross River State has expressed relief that certain persons have left their party.
They particularly described a current member of House of Representative, Ekpenyong Akiba, representing Odukpani/Calabar Municipal Federal Constituency, and former member who represented Akamkpa/Biase federal constituency, Daniel Asuquo as very ungrateful to the party.
While wishing the defectors well in their political pursuits, the state chairman of LP, Patriarch Ogar Osim in a statement further described their departure as a blessing in disguise.
He stated that both Daniel Asuquo and Ekpenyong Akiba were like the biblical Jonah in the boat whilst they were at 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,” he said.
Osim recalled how he was under serious pressure to replace Akiba with another aspirant from Odukpani LGA but he refused, stating that his insistence enabled Akiba to become an elected member of 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 said.
He encouraged all party faithful to remain respectful and responsible citizens of the State.
He cautioned LP faithful not to antagonise the government but support its good aspirations.
In another development, the opposition party appointed two females, Mrs. Myra Benson and Mrs. Abigail Ekeng as chairmen for Calabar Municipality and Calabar South LGA chapters respectively.
Still as part of reshuffling following the defections, they also appointed Mrs. Mary Okon as new State Women Leader.