The leading opposition party in Cross River State, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has given its officials whose names have been published by the African Democratic Congress, ADC, as their Local Government and Area Coordinators to immediately denounce such or resign their membership of PDP within 48 hours or be punished.
The PDP issued a release signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Prince Mike Ojisi, on Thursday evening upon publication of the names by the ADC after its 28th State Working Committee (SWC) in Calabar.
It said it is not adverse to the exercise of members’ fundamental rights to freedom of association as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Nevertheless, the State Working Committee firmly resolved that any individual members wishing to join other political parties should first resign their membership from the party, as the Electoral Act does not support dual membership of political parties.
“Therefore, the SWC has requested those whose names are so published to be honourable enough to do the needful by either denouncing such publication or resigning their positions in the party within 48 hours; otherwise, the party will invoke the relevant disciplinary provisions of its constitution against them.”
The opposition party reiterated its decision not to be part of the ADC coalition.
They cautioned their members to prioritise their loyalty to the party and refrain from any activities and associations that may be perceived as defection or anti-party activities.
It reassured party members and supporters that it remains committed to the founding ideals and values and will continue to work tirelessly to promote good governance and development in Cross River State, “which is presently under arrest in the rudderless administration of the APC in the state.”
