BREAKING: Rep Peter Akpanke Set to Defect to APC, As Zana Akpagu Moves To PDP
Ndifereke BASSEY
Barring any last minute change of mind, Hon. Peter Akpanke, representing Obanliku/Obudu/Bekwarra federal constituency in the House of Representatives has concluded arrangements to dump the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Recently the rumour mills have it that Akpanke has been romancing with the Deputy Governor, Peter Odey. This led to no love relationship between Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe and Akpanke.
Akpanke was accused by some PDP leadership in the North of playing double deal by dancing too close to the APC leadership in the north, Fueling speculations of imminent defection.
A PDP top shot confided in our reporter that the deal for Akpanke to defect to APC was sealed about 6 months ago but leaked to PDP, leading to the issue being played down.
But Akpanke's conspicuous absence at Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe's Town Hall meeting with Obanliku/Obudu/Bekwarra constituents has raised a lot of dust, thereby adding impetus to the defection rumour.
Since 2019, Akpanke has been a member of Jari Movement and Unconquered Generation till 2023 when he won election into House of Representatives.
Sources close to Akpanke revealed to THE BEAGLE NEWS that Akpanke's plan to defect to APC is not unconnected with the rumour making the rounds that Prof. Zana Akpagu is being drafted in to run for Obanliku/Obudu/Bekwarra federal House ticket in 2027.
The source said on getting wind of Akpagu's 2027, Akpanke reached out to his close ally, the Deputy Governor, Peter Akpanke, who in turn got across to Governor Otu who immediately arranged for a meeting with Rep Akpanke.
So, while Sen Jarigbe was holding a Town Hall meeting at the North, the quarter of Akpanke, Peter Odey, Alphonsus Eba, APC State Chairman, and Chief of Staff to Governor Otu,Chief Emmanuel Ironbar, had their own meeting at Abuja to finalise arrangements of Peter's defection to the ruling party.
Speaking at Obudu Town Hall meeting, Prof Zana Akpagu, said: "For now, I am still an illegal member. I am going to see my ward chairman, chapter chairman and secretary. I have not officially defected but I am coming back So, accept me when I come."
