Former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke has once again resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and formally joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Duke completed his defection by registering as a member of the ADC in Ward 5 of Calabar Municipality, where he collected his party membership card, signaling his official entry into the opposition party.
His move comes amid internal disagreements within the ADC in Cross River State. The party’s former governorship candidate, Dr. Effiong Nyong, recently wrote to the ADC national chairman, protesting the inclusion of certain individuals from the state in the party’s 50 Wise Men and Women Policy Manifesto Committee.
Nyong also criticized a statement credited to the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, which listed some persons he claimed neither resigned from the PDP nor contributed to the ADC. He called for their removal from the committee.
Political analysts suggest Duke’s prompt formal registration may be connected to the controversy, as the former governor had earlier been mentioned among notable figures linked to the party.
Duke had previously exited the PDP for the Social Democratic Party (SDP), where he later emerged as the party’s presidential candidate under controversial circumstances.
Meanwhile, ADC leaders in the Bakassi Local Government Area have intensified efforts to mobilize support for the party across Cross River State, describing it as a credible alternative ahead of future elections.
Following a stakeholders’ meeting involving chapter executives, ward chairmen and secretaries, party leaders accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of poor governance and urged Nigerians to reclaim the country.
In a statement signed by the Bakassi Chapter Chairman, Emmanuel Asuquo, and the Secretary, Eko Boco, the party reaffirmed its loyalty to the ADC national leadership and pledged support for the National Chairman, Senator David Mark, and National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. The statement also called on undecided citizens to join the party’s “transformative agenda.”
