Akwa Ibom APC Elders Move Against Akpabio Over Alleged Anti-Party Activities

These are certainly not the best of times for the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio as he seems to be facing serious and dire political battles from different fronts.

One of the latest battles confronting Senator Akpabio is the one between him and founding members of the All Progressives Congress in Akwa Ibom State, who are up in arms accusing him of betraying the party and working with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party to undermine the APC in exchange for his re-election into the Senate.

The APC chieftains in an open letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and signed by Elder Okokon James (Uyo Senatorial District), Peter Ibanga (Eket Senatorial District), and Chief Victor Affiah (Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District), stressed the need for urgent intervention to prevent the collapse of the APC in Akwa Ibom.

In the letter titled; “Worrisome State of APC in Akwa Ibom State: A Call for Your Urgent Intervention”, the APC founding elders said they have never witnessed the level of selfishness, greed, betrayal, and treachery being exhibited by Akpabio.

The letter stated in part; “We, the founding fathers of the All Progressives Congress in Akwa Ibom State, are compelled to write this open letter to you. We have been with you since the days of the defunct Action Congress and the Action Congress of Nigeria, which later evolved into the All Progressives Congress.

“The state chairman of the party, Mr. Stephen Ntukekpo, and the Hon. Minister of Petroleum, Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, have openly stated that they were directed by Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, to cripple the party in Akwa Ibom, thereby giving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) an easy path to victory in the 2027 elections.

“In return, they claim, Akpabio will receive the PDP’s support for his third-term ambition. We must assure Mr. President that without urgent action, there will be no party members left to receive him when he visits the state next year to campaign.

“The spirit and soul of the party in Akwa Ibom have been sold to the PDP government, and as a result, party members are increasingly considering joining the opposition coalition in support of your second-term bid. It is imperative that immediate action be taken to revive and strengthen the party in Akwa Ibom State,” it stated.

The APC elders also addressed the rumours that Governor Umo Eno is planning to join the APC, stressing that while the governor is working to strengthen the PDP, Akpabio is leading some selfish APC leaders in the state to undermine their own party.

According to the APC elders; “It is unbelievable that a party that produced a Senate President is in such disarray. Since Akpabio joined the APC, he has shown little commitment to supporting your second-term ambition”.

However, while speaking with The PUNCH, Akpabio through his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, dismissed the allegations, saying that the APC remains strong in Akwa Ibom State.

According to him; “These claims are being made by those who wish to see conflict between the PDP and APC, which is under the leadership of Senator Akpabio.

“Politics is far beyond these kinds of baseless allegations. Because of the harmony, peace, and unity between Akpabio and Governor Umo Eno, these individuals are falsely alleging that the APC has been sold out. They should wait for the campaigns to begin,” he said.