Akwa Ibom State Chapter of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described as false and baseless, a media report that more than 20,000 members of the party were defecting with a governorship aspirant to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The party in a statement signed by its Chairman, Obong Paul Ekpo, said none of its members across the 329 wards in the state have left PDP or indicated interest to leave, saying the party remains a united family.

The party advised public office seekers and other political parties to utilise their energy and resources toward soliciting people’s support as well as present their manifestoes to the electorate, instead of engaging in blackmail.

It described the PDP as the only national party in Nigeria that places top priority to the welfare and collective interest of Nigerians, at the national, state and local government levels, as demonstrated through the transformation programme of President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Godswill Akpabio.

PDP said that APC can hire a crowd from anywhere, as no significant member of the ruling party will be among those speculated to defect to the opposition party, in an event billed for today in Uyo.

It pledged its commitment to the decision by the national leadership of the party to zone the 2015 governorship seat to Eket Senatorial District, as a way of promoting justice, equity and fairness in Akwa Ibom State.