Senator Akpabio’s Onslaught Against APC In Akwa Ibom

The tragic deterioration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State follows its unresolved leadership crisis which may eventually cause the party to disintegrate completely sooner than later. Already, it has lost several valuable members to newly formed political parties, turning it into a butt of jokes among political analysts. Once a respected opposition party, the APC lost its bearing and momentum right from the day it admitted Senator Godswill Akpabio into its fold during the so-called uncommon defection in 2018.

From the benefit of hindsight, one can state unarguably that Akpabio was a Greek gift from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress. He has so far succeeded in eating up the party from within with his sustained onslaught against the party structure and its chieftains, leaving the party to drift aimlessly without a clear plan to win even a ward during the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

Funny enough, the national party leadership seems unbothered about the fate of the party in the state. Despite repeated alarm raised by party stalwarts and groups within APC, that the state party has lost its cohesiveness because of Senator Akpabio ‘s deliberate efforts to cause disunity among stalwarts, create walls of division which has weakened the party, allowing him to amass power to himself, there has been no action taken to check his excesses.

This nonchalant attitude towards reconciling and rebuilding the party which some may misconstrued as collusion by the national leadership, has emboldened the one time Senate Minority leader into wrecking more havoc in the party. Having mastered blackmail as tradecraft, Akpabio does not spare even his brothers and close allies in his ruthless game of thrones. Consequently, more than half of those who defected with him have since distanced themselves from him or left the party completely.

Once very influential and greatly sought after, Akpabio is fast becoming a pariah in the state. Here are some of the big names in Ikot Ekpene sentorial district alone, who could no longer cope with his egocentricity. They have desserted and disowned him.

Oruk Anam LGA: Chief Don Etiebet former Minister of Petroleum, Dr. Amadu Attai former state chairman of APC Akwa Ibom State, and Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ukoette former two terms member of House of Representatives. From Ukanafun LGA; Obong Inibehe Okorie an ICT expert/ businessman, and others who do not wished to identify with him anymore.

Others are in Abak LGA namely Rt Hon. Uwem Udoma former Deputy Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Dr. Innocent Idiong former chairman Abak and Lady Victoria Mel, a frontline woman leader in the state.

In Etim Ekpo LGA, former allies who feel disenchanted with Akpabio including DIG Udom Udo Ekpoudom (Rtd), Rt. Hon. Akanimo Edit former lawmaker and Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ekon former house of representatives member. In Ika LGA, Rt. Hon Gabriel Toby former state lawmaker, Hon. Dominic Udontuk and Hon. Boniface Ebewo former council chairman Ika.

Even in Essien Udim LGA, where Akpabio boosts about his strength, he has lost all his proteges namely Chief Michael Afangideh, political leader of Essien Udim and the oldest politician in Akwa Ibom State, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Akpan former state/national assembly lawmaker, Rt. Hon. Nse Ntuen former chairman/state lawmaker, Chief Godwin Afangideh former commissioner/ chief of staff of Godswill Akpabio, his brothers Barr Ibanga Akpabio former commissioner and Prince Ukpong Akpabio former commissioner, Sir Emem Akpabio, now Chairman campaign council of YPP governorship candidate. He also broke ties with Mrs. Ekaette Isong, Mr. Friday Michael Udo, among many others.

Similarly, in Ikot Ekpene LGA, he lost the support of Justice Ebienye (Rtd). He also broke off with Rt Hon Abom Tony Esuh former house of representatives member as well as Hon. Etiebiet Joshua former council chairman from Obot Akara. In Ikono and Ini, Rt. Hon. Victor Udofia former state lawmaker and Chief Otu Robert the political leader of INI local government, respectively distance themselves from Akpabio.

Considering the foregoing, it is easy to understand why Senator Akpabio will end up losing the senatorial election. He stands no chance against the PDP candidate during the election. His loss this time will be a colossal meltdown, signalling his retirement from partisan polity. Meanwhile, Akpabio knowing that his defeat is imminent, has resorted to baseless blackmail against innocent party chieftains whom he feels should support and fund his exercise in futility.

Let it be known that as long as Akpabio remains in APC, the party is doomed to fail. He squandered every ounce of goodwill towards him when he singlehandedly masterminded the ongoing leadership imbroglio in the party. As mentioned earlier, APC is no longer the main opposition party in the state and stands no chance even against a nascent parties such as New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, nor Young Progressives Party, YPP, which recently received more than ten and fifteen thousand APC members respectively into their fold.

The uncertainty of the APC governorship candidate, Mr. Akan Udofia, making it into the ballot paper hovers as a dark cloud over the state party. No one is sure of victory at 2023 elections because of the in-fighting instigated and sustained by Akpabio. To add salt to injury, instead of Akpabio to pursue peace and reconciliation and rally the remaining party faithful to commence campaign ahead of 2023, he now goes about blackmailing perceived enemies, claiming his actions are approved by the party presidential candidate, Ashiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

This is not surprising though, knowing that to Akpabio, it is self first before party. If the party can nrinues to overlook this onslaught, it must also be ready to bear the brunt of Akpabio’s action after the general elections. The national leadership believes whatever he says and does at its own peril.