A founding leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State, Chief Helen Boco Effiom, has resigned.
Citing alleged neglect of founding members, she joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and accepted a presidential council appointment.
She said PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has acknowledged her value as a grassroots politician.
Effiom said: “I was a foundational and legacy member of the APC right from 2014.
“We joined others to build APC across the 18 local government areas of the state steadfastly and with dedication with our small resources.
“There is no joy in the APC. People at the grassroots are not smiling.
“The legacy members are not happy, those of us that built the APC are nowhere.
“We are not appreciated; not recognised, they want to retire us.
“We have been deceived, mortgaged, there is so much deceit and there is no truth in anything that has to do with the APC.
“This is not the principles at which we built the APC, so many foundational members are not appreciated.
“The voice of the voiceless at the grassroots has been ignored.
“So I am here to let the world and Nigeria know that I am not a member of APC anymore
“I resigned yesterday and I am now a member of PDP in Ward nine and I am happy to be a member of a new political party.”
She accused Governor Ben Ayade of ignoring people at the grassroots.
“What has His Excellency, the governor given to the legacy members? He has ignored them.
“As I speak with you, in my polling unit I am a grassrooter, unit 012; there is no appointee. Every day there are many appointments which we know are all rubbish.
“His Excellency, the governor has not done well and is not doing well. Let us not pretend about it.
“How many of us are happy with the present situation we are faced with? How much do you buy fuel today? Power must change hands.”
She thanked Atiku for appreciating the work she has been doing at the grassroots and for appointing her into his Independent Campaign Council.
“So at this point in time I have been recognised by His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar to join his campaign team.
“He constituted an independent campaign council and I have accepted his appointment. I am ready.
“The grassroots is ready to work massively in his support for the 2023 elections.
“I think for once a grassrooter has been heard. This appointment is not just for them but for those that have been denied, ignored, oppressed after all their sacrifices.
“That appreciation alone from another party of the sacrifices that has been made in the grassroots is worth smiling about.
“If somebody out there can recognise that the grassroots needs to be heard, that’s enough joy and happiness.”
Helen Effiom was the factional deputy governorship candidate of APC in the 2019 election in Cross River.
She contested for the APC National Women Leader and lost to Dr. Betta Edu.
