Patience Ogbo/
The All Progressives Congress (APC) stands no chance of winning in Akwa-Ibom State, says the elder brother of Senator Godswill Akpabio, Chief Isong Akpabio.
Chief Akpabio told NewsmakersNG in an open interview in Lagos at the weekend that Akwa- Ibom State remains a strong-hold of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) despite his younger brother’s defection to APC.
Chief Akpabio was reacting to former Minority leader, Senator Akpabio’s defection from the PDP to the APC.
Chief Isong’s statement was the first time a member of Akpabio’s family would react to the Senator’s defection to the APC, a move which has shocked many in and outside the country.
He said, “Senator Godswill Akpabio’s recent defection to the APC was shocking to me. I was outside the country for medical treatment and his defection came to me through a third party. He did not consult me. There was an element of shock and I was confused like other persons when I received the news, but you know in politics, nothing surprises anybody.”
Speaking on what the defection means for Akwa- Ibom State, Chief Akpabio said Akwa- Ibom people would not choose to vote for APC despite his brother’s defection.
He added, “Akwa -Ibom State is a PDP state. Despite the defection of Senator Godswill Akpabio. I am not going to decamp to APC and people in the state will not decamp because one person decamped. 99.9% of the Akpabio family members are PDP members. We are known to be a strong political family right from the NCNC days. It will be an uphill task for APC to dislodge 19 years of PDP in the psyche of the people. Moreover, the present government in Akwa Ibom State led by the governor, Udom Emmanuel, is doing very well for the state. Governor Udom was not a politician before he was elected governor. He was a banker, but he has brought his wealth of experience to develop the state in spite of the poor revenue accruing from crude oil, he has moved the state forward. Like I said Akwa- Ibom State is a PDP state just like Lagos is an APC state and I would like to advise that in their bid to win in Akwa- Ibom State, by all means, APC should not bring in violence and cause killings in the state.”
Asked if Godswill Akpabio was threatened with arrest to join the APC, over an allegation of financial impropriety, Chief Isong Akpabio said, “Godswill Akpabio is a grown man. I don’t believe he was threatened with arrest which made him decamp to APC. If that was the case, all the past governors in Nigeria will be running a marathon race to avoid arrest by the EFCC. His move to the APC may be strategic for his ambition at the national level. Let’s say he becomes the Senate president tomorrow; that will be good for Akwa Ibom State and all those castigating him now will rally round him.”
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