Donald Duke Dumps PDP for ADC, Urges Political Realignment in Cross River
By Passman Akpos
Former Governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), marking another major shift in his political career.
Duke was formally registered as a member of the ADC in Ward 5 of Calabar Municipality, where he received his membership card amid cheers and applause from party supporters and residents who gathered to witness the event.
The defection represents the second time the former governor has parted ways with the PDP. He had earlier left the party for the Social Democratic Party (SDP), where he emerged as its presidential candidate during the 2019 general elections, a move that generated widespread debate and controversy at the time.
Meanwhile, the ADC leadership in Bakassi Local Government Area has intensified efforts to expand the party’s grassroots base, calling on Cross Riverians and Nigerians at large to identify with the ADC as a viable alternative for national renewal.
The call followed a stakeholders’ meeting involving chapter executive members, ward chairmen, and ward secretaries of the party in Bakassi Local Government Area. At the meeting, party leaders urged citizens to reclaim Nigeria from what they described as the misrule of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement made available to journalists in Calabar on Friday, the party appealed to undecided Nigerians to embrace the ADC’s vision.
“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 said.
The statement, jointly signed by the Bakassi Chapter Chairman, Mr. Emmanuel Asuquo, and the Secretary, Mr. 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 added.
Duke’s defection is expected to reshape political alignments in Cross River State as the ADC positions itself ahead of future electoral contests.
