Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has again appealed to the aggrieved members of the Peoples Democratic Party who defected to other political parties to return and join hands in rebuilding the party.
He added that the reintegration drive was part of his efforts to strengthen the party from the ward level.
In a statement issued by the state Publicity Secretary of PDP, Borono Bassey, on Friday, the governor extended the olive branch when he visited the party secretariat in Atan Offot, Uyo, on Thursday.
The statement noted that Eno thanked his predecessor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, party leadership, members and Akwa Ibom people for the support given him during the election period, which saw him to victory.
He also announced Saturday, August 26, 2023, as a state-wide ward meeting of PDP, describing the ward as the strongest level of the party that must be firmly entrenched by intentional actions of the stakeholders and leaders whom he charged to maintain constant engagement with party faithful.
“We need a restrengthening of the party in the state. To achieve that, we have to embark on a reintegration drive within the ranks of PDP in every ward because the ward is the strongest level of the party that must be firmly entrenched by our intentional actions.
“We will do the best we can to show that we are grateful. We will show how grateful we are by our policies and programmes. We will show to the people that beyond words, we are truly grateful for the opportunity to serve. We will continue to do everything to ensure that Akwa Ibom moves forward,” he said.
Earlier, the state Chairman of PDP, Rt Hon (Elder) Aniekan Akpan, who conveyed the message of the party, thanked the Governor for starting well and making the party proud in his style of governance since his commencement of duty as Chief Executive of the state, reassuring that the party is solidly behind him and will lend due support for him to succeed.