Senator Steven Odey formerly of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has defected to the All Progressive Congress (APC).
Odey, who was sacked last month after an election Appeal Tribunal refused his argument that he was duly sponsored by the PDP for the December 5, 2020 by-election in Cross River north, defected with many of his supporters.
His defection took place in his ward- Yache in Yala local government area of Cross River State at the weekend.
APC bigwigs in the State, including Deputy Governor Prof. Ivara Ejemot Esu, who represented Governor Ben Ayade, APC Acting Chairman Sen. Matthew Mbu Jnr, Commissioners, Local Government Council Chairmen and other top government functionaries attended the event.
Odey had spent barely nine months in the Senate before he was replaced through a court judgment in favour of Senator Jarigbe A. Jarigbe also of the PDP.
Mbu Jnr., who received Odey, described him as the best Senator to have emerged from Cross River North because of the unprecedented impact he made within his short stint at the Red Chamber.
According to him, it can only take a magician to accomplish such record-breaking feats in a short time.
He called on the people of Yache, including Cross River State to collapse all structures in support of Gov Ayade led APC in the State.
Esu described Sen. Odey as a man who is known for his exceptional humility and unassuming lifestyle.
He assured Ayade was committed to take Cross River State to an enviable height.
Odey thanked the leadership of the APC for receiving him with an opened arm.
He also appreciated his teeming supporters in Yache and beyond for willingly accepting to defect with him to the ruling APC.
He noted that his decision to join the ruling APC was for the interest of the people he is serving because service to the people is not about the political party one belongs.
According to him: “My policy and my lifestyle is to serve my people and not for my selfish gains.”
