A’Ibom APC elders, Akpabio clash over alleged anti-party activities
Founding members of the All Progressives Congress in Akwa Ibom State have accused the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, 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.
But the Special Assistant to the Senate President on Media, Jackson Udom, dismissed the allegations as “beer parlour rumours.”
The aggrieved party chieftains raised these concerns in an open letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu, which was shared with our correspondent in Uyo on Sunday.
The letter was signed by Elder Okokon James (Uyo Senatorial District), Peter Ibanga (Eket Senatorial District), and Chief Victor Affiah (Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District).
According to the trio, who say they are speaking for other concerned members, urgent intervention is needed to prevent the collapse of the party in Akwa Ibom.
Their letter was titled “Worrisome State of APC in Akwa Ibom State: A Call for Your Urgent Intervention” .
They wrote: “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. However, we have never witnessed this level of selfishness, greed, betrayal, and treachery.
“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 People’s 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,” the letter continued.
The signatories also addressed rumours that Governor Umo Eno is planning to join the APC, stating that while the governor is working to strengthen the PDP, APC leaders in the state are undermining their own party.
“It is unbelievable that a party that produced a Senate President is in such disarray,” they wrote. “Since Akpabio joined the APC, he has shown little commitment to supporting your second-term ambition.”
But in an interview with The PUNCH, Akpabio’s Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, dismissed the allegations.
He stated, “The APC remains strong in Akwa Ibom State. 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.”
