Senator Godswill Akpabio
Pat Stevens/
Ex-senate minority leader, Godswill Akpabio, was welcomed into the All Progressives Congress (APC) today with pomp and ceremony.
He was received by a large crowd led by APC leaders, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Comrade Adams Oshiomole at Ikot Ekpene township stadium.
Akpabio and his wife, Ekaette, and other senators displayed their dancing prowess to the melodious music, “Shekem’’.
Oshiomhole described the event as the reception for “an uncommon defector and a man of honour’’.
He described Akpabio as a symbol of unity who would lead Akwa Ibom to join Edo as APC states in South-South in 2019.
He said that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had deceived the people for 16 years and Nigerians were no longer ready for the party.
The National Chairman of APC added that Senate President Bukola Saraki could not emulate Akpabio by relinquishing his seat.
His words: “Senator Akpabio has demonstrated what the people of South-South stand for by quitting the seat of Senate minority leader.
“It is the turn of Saraki to vacate his seat as President of the Senate.”
Oshiomhole also said that Akpabio was joining APC to solidify his position as the former minority leader of the Senate.
According to him, Akpabio had demonstrated that he meant good for the people of South-South.
He urged the people to appreciate Akpabio for his role as a builder.
“I feel extremely proud of Akpabio and humble also with the kind of crowd that I have seen in Ikot Ekpene today. I am happy I came he today to see the bond that exists between Akpabio and the people of Akwa Ibom and I deeply appreciate this,’’ Oshiomhole said.
No fewer than 30 APC senators and members of National Working Committee (NWC) were there to receive the ex-senate minority leader.
The Senate Majority leader, Sen. Ahmed Lawan, who introduced his colleagues spoke on Akpabio whom he described as a nationalist and patriot who believes in Nigeria’s unity.
Lawan said: “This defection surpasses all other defections.
“This is a defection that has shaken the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“They followed Akpabio everywhere to prevent him from defecting but he ignored them.”
He said Akpabio is a nationalist who believes in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Fifty-year-old Akpabio is a lawyer and politician who was also Governor of Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria from May 29, 2007, to May 29, 2015.
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