Former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, has once again shaken Nigeria’s political space, dumping the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The former governor was formally registered as an ADC member at Ward 5, Calabar Municipality, where he received his membership card amid cheers and jubilation from supporters who welcomed him into the party.
This latest move marks the second time Duke has exited the PDP. He had previously defected to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), where he clinched the party’s presidential ticket, a decision that stirred controversy at the time.
Riding on Duke’s defection, the ADC leadership in Bakassi Local Government Area has urged Cross Riverians and Nigerians to embrace the party, describing it as a credible alternative for national rebirth.
The call followed a stakeholders’ meeting involving chapter executives, ward chairmen and secretaries of the party in Bakassi, where leaders called on Nigerians to reclaim the country from what they described as the misrule of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement released to journalists in Calabar on Friday, the party said:
“We invite our family and friends who are still undecided to join the ADC today, as the party is poised to bring about transformative change in Nigeria.”
The statement, signed by the Bakassi Chapter Chairman, Emmanuel Asuquo, and the Secretary, Eko Boco, reaffirmed the chapter’s loyalty to the national leadership of the party.
“We express our unwavering support and confidence in the leadership of Senator David Mark, National Chairman, and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, National Secretary, and pledge our loyalty to all recognised organs and structures of the party at all levels as we work towards building a strong and united ADC,” the statement read.
Donald Duke’s defection is already being viewed as a major political signal in Cross River State, with analysts predicting fresh realignments ahead of future elections.
