Former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, has once again resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party and has formally joined the African Democratic Congress. Duke completed his defection on Thursday when he registered as a member of the ADC in Ward 5 of Calabar Municipality, where he also received his party membership card.
The move comes at a time of internal disagreement within the ADC in Cross River State. A former governorship candidate of the party, Dr Effiong Nyong, had earlier written to the national leadership to complain about the inclusion of certain individuals from the state in the party’s policy committee, arguing that some of those listed were still members of the PDP and had not contributed to the ADC.
Following the complaint, questions were raised over the status of some political figures linked to the party. Duke was among the names earlier associated with the ADC, and political watchers believe his prompt registration may be connected to the need to clear doubts about his political position.
Duke has a history of leaving and returning to the PDP. In the past, he exited the party for the Social Democratic Party, where he later became its presidential candidate under disputed conditions, before finding his way back to the PDP.
Meanwhile, leaders of the ADC in Bakassi Local Government Area have stepped up efforts to mobilise support for the party across Cross River State. At a meeting attended by local executives and ward officials, party leaders urged residents to align with the ADC, describing it as an option for Nigerians dissatisfied with the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The party leaders accused the APC of poor governance and called on citizens to support the ADC’s national leadership as preparations continue toward future elections.