Former Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, has left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to align with the coalition backing the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a move that has drawn mixed reactions from political analysts and stakeholders.
Public affairs commentators have welcomed the defection, describing it as a potential shift toward a more competitive political landscape in the state.
In a statement on social media, analyst Inok Solomon praised Imoke’s decision, calling him a leader guided by ideology and integrity. “To him, it is not the political platform that shapes his decisions, but his integrity,” Solomon said, adding that the ADC now represents a credible alternative for governance in Cross River.
He argued that Imoke’s move is a significant political realignment that could reshape the state’s political future, particularly in a context where major parties are reportedly offering automatic tickets.
Echoing this sentiment, analyst Mkymbe Ogoja questioned resistance to political alternatives. “If you are delivering the dividends, why oppose alternatives?” he said, suggesting that the ADC platform could serve as a fair ground for aspirants sidelined by internal party decisions.
Cuthbert Ofere, another political observer, expressed confidence in Imoke’s influence, saying his supporters are likely to follow him into the new coalition.
However, not all reactions have been supportive. Former lawmaker Bishop Alex Ukam dismissed the coalition as ineffective, predicting it would fail to gain traction against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ukam described the ADC alliance as a gathering of former PDP members he blamed for the party’s decline. “The coalition is dead on arrival. They cannot withstand the APC,” he stated.
He insisted that the APC continues to consolidate power in the state, arguing that it will eventually absorb smaller parties, including the ADC-backed coalition.
Imoke’s defection comes amid growing calls for political reform in Cross River and may signal broader shifts ahead of the next election cycle.
