Senate President Godswill Akpabio asserts confidently that the All Progressives Party (APC) is unstoppable in its quest to wrest control of the Akwa Ibom state governorship from the incumbent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2027.
The proclamation was made by Akpabio over the weekend, echoing boldly from his residence in Ukana Ikot Ntuen, Essien Udim Local Government Area.
The defection of Senator Bassey Akpan, the Young Progressives Party’s (YPP) runner-up in the 2023 Akwa Ibom governorship race, and his supporters to the All Progressives Congress (APC), marked a notable occasion in the political landscape.
Senator Akpan, alongside the state YPP Chairman, Apostle Nyenime Andy, and fellow influential members, personally informed Akpabio of their decision to reverse course, sincerely seeking forgiveness for what they recognized as a political misjudgment.
Akparawa said: ‘We came in total loyalty to you as the leader, who had turned boys into men, to work with you and President Bola Tinubu. This is to effectively implement the laudable policies and programmes of the Federal Government.’
Akparawa Inyang was Chief of Staff to immediate past Governor Udom Emmanuel and Chairman, YPP Eket Zone.
Akwa Ibom YPP Chairman, Apostle Andy, hoped with the mass defection that APC’s strength in the state and subsequent impacts would be felt in next month’s rerun.
He enjoined APC leaders and stakeholders to support the YPP candidates to victory.
The polls is pitching YPP candidates for Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency and Ibiono Ibom State Constituency against PDP candidates.
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Akpan, former Commissioner for Finance under Akpabio urged the Senate President to forgive the wrong course he took. He explained that it was also for the common good as he was able to attract many supporters who will now join in galvanizing the APC cause in earnest for 2027.
He assured that YPP now with two seats in both the state House of Assembly and the House of Representatives, respectively, was coming into alliance from a position of strength to galvanize the APC into dislodging incumbent Governor Umo Eno and PDP come 2027.
The state APC Chairman, Obong Stephen Ntukekpo, promised to reintegrate the defectors fully into the fold.
Before their defection, he shared that he had given advance notice to the APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, who is eagerly anticipating their arrival.
Accompanied by National Assembly peers, Senate President Akpabio orchestrated his homecoming, underscoring that the YPP’s transition into APC in Akwa Ibom signals the imminent absorption of opposition parties in the South by the federal ruling party.
Akpabio cast doubt on the PDP’s declared triumph in the recent state elections, given the presence of numerous YPP members. He assured that this mathematical discrepancy would be rectified in 2027, mobilizing the collective strength of the ruling party at the center, YPP, and other state entities for the polls.
He gave assurance that the equal rights and privileges granted to original members since APC assumed power at the center in 2015 would extend seamlessly to new entrants.
Furthermore, he assigned the responsibility to the party Chairman, Ntukekpo, emphasizing the need for vigilant guidance.