The battle for the soul of Cross River state has continued to gather momentum as about 5, 000 All Progressives Congress (APC) members have defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the northern senatorial zone.

The defectors include former APC ward and chapter officers, women leaders, leaders of Hausa community in Ogoja, Yala, Bekwarra, Oabnliku, and Obudu.

Receiving the defectors at TTC field, Igoli-Ogoja, yesterday, the Vice Chairman of PDP Northern Senatorial district, Chief Austine Edibe, commended them for their courage to join the party in the nick of time.

Also speaking, Sen Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, advised the defectors to be loyal to the party at their various wards and be steadfast, assuring them of more empowerment programmes to accommodate them.

“This is the time for the defectors to tie their belts and reject any form of inducements in readiness for the battle ahead,” he said.

Earlier, the former Deputy Governor, Efiok Cobham, said the defectors should join the “operation vote APC out,” urging them to get their PVCs ready to bring back PDP.(Sunday Sun)