Some of the leaders All Progressive Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom North-West District called on the former minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Lord Akpabioto withdraw from the election in the district.
Mr. Akpabio is the APC candidate for the senatorial election in the district, also known as Ikot Ekpene District.
APC leaders in the district were part of a meeting held on Tuesday in Ikot Ekpene town under the Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District Leaders Forum, where decisions were made against Mr. Akpabio and others who were also affected.
A communique issued after the meeting said candidates from three areas in the district, including the former minister of origin, should not contest the election. The decision, according to him, is because three affected areas in the district have produced senators, while there are parts that have not produced for 56 years, since 1963.
“Based on the above, and in the interest of peace, unity, progress and harmony in the Senatorial District, we hereby do not ask anyone from the other three federal constituencies to contest the 2023 Senatorial election,” the communique said.
Akwa Ibom North-West District comprises four federal constituencies (Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency, Ukanafun-Oruk Anam Federal Constituency, Abak Federal Constituency, and Ikono-Ini Federal Constituency).
Mr. Akpabio’s Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency has produced five senators, from 1963 to date, and that includes Mr. Akpabio’s election as a senator in 2015.
Christopher Ekpenyong, the current senator representing the district, is from Mr. Akpabio’s constituency.
Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency has produced two senators, while Ukanafun/Oruk Anam has produced three senators.
Abak Federal Constituency is the only constituency in the county that has yet to produce a senator.
‘Our establishment’
“When it was the turn of Abak Federal Constituency in 2007, he persuaded the Ibibio brothers from Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency to have a shot, as a sacrifice and balance, for the governor, Godswill Akpabio, to win the election. two terms he served.
“In 2015, when it was the turn of Abak Federal Constituency, again, he sacrificed his turn to Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency as compensation to former Governor Godswill Akpabio,” the communique said.
Those who attended the meeting said they belittled Mr. Akpabio’s ignorance of the political history of the district, and that if he participated in the election it would only show his “arrogance” and “ungratefulness”.
“This is why we, the political leaders of the Senatorial District, regardless of political party affiliation, approve and adopt Barr Emmanuel Enoidem from Abak Federal Constituency to be elected in the District to win and be our Senator in the February 25 Senatorial election.
“We implore all eligible voters from the District to listen to this attitude of the Senatorial District Leader and vote for Barr Emmanuel Enoidem, found to be the strongest of all candidates from the Federal Constituency of Abak,” the communiqué said.
Emmanuel Enoidem, who has been adopted as the sole candidate for the senatorial election by the district leadership, is the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party.
Don Etiebet, former Petroleum minister and BoT member of APC, attended the meeting.
Mr. Etiebet, earlier this month, presided over a similar meeting with Mr. Akpabio’s candidate. rejected by some APC leaders from the district.
Former State Chairman of APC in Akwa Ibom, Amadu Attai, and former member of Akwa Ibom Council, Uwem Udoma, were among APC leaders who attended Tuesday’s meeting.
Mr. Attai told PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday that the leaders from the district rose above the partisans to decide the interest of the district.
“I have been the state chairman of APC for more than eight years, so I know what we are doing. It is in the interest of the people. We have leaders from PDP, APC, LP, NNPP and other parties in the meeting. I joined politics to protect the interests of my people, ” he said.
‘Akpabio wants to be president, not senator’
Mr. Udoma, a former member of the state parliament, said he and others attended the meeting as community leaders, not political leaders, and the point was to correct the injustice done in Abak Federal Constituency which has yet to produce a senator. over 50 years.
Also, Mr. Udoma said that Mr. Akpabio wants to contest for the presidency of Nigeria, not the Senate, in 2023.
“I did not nominate Godswill Akpabio as the APC candidate, he got it from the Supreme Court. We nominated DIG Udom Ekpoudom to the Senate. Godswill wants to be the president of Nigeria. He was in Eagle Square, competing for the presidency and on the same night he was a senator and became candidate.
“Will Nigeria move forward with this kind of scenario? Do you see people contesting two elections on the same day?” said.
Inibehe Ottoho, one of the chieftains of the APC in the district who attended the meeting, told this newspaper that the APC is deeply divided in Akwa Ibom.
“If someone is already in the party and they decide that there is a division and the goal is political, you can’t achieve anything,” he said.
Akpabio responded
Akpabio’s campaign organisation, however, dismissed the meeting as an “improper gathering”, saying those who attended were blinded by their hatred for Mr Akpabio.
READ ALSO: PDP asks SSS to invite Akpabio to comment on insecurity
The campaign described APC members who attended the meeting as apostates that the party leadership should have given.
“We want to assure our people that they are strong and ready for Saturday, February 25, when they will come out with dignity and grandeur to vote for Senator Godswill Akpabio and Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other candidates of the party,” he said. the campaign said.
Support journalism integrity and credibility PREMIUM TIMES
Good journalism costs a lot of money. But only good journalism can guarantee the possibility of a good society, responsible democracy, and transparent government.
For continued free access to the best investigative journalism in the country, we ask that you consider making a modest contribution to this noble effort.
By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you help keep journalism relevant and ensure it remains free and available to all.
contribute
AD TEXT: Call Willie – +2348098788999
