₦airaland Forum

By Ekemini Mel Etim

Prominent Ibibio stakeholders from Akwa Ibom State has vowed to use a unified front to stop a former Minority leader of the Senate, Godswill Obot Akpabio from returning back to the Senate. The group disclosed this after a closed door meeting that was held in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State Capital on Friday.

According to the group "Allowing Godswill Akpabio to win senatorial election in 2023, will undermine the gains of 2019 and put him on the pedestal of becoming a principal officer in the senate."

Prominent sons of Ibibio extraction cutting across different political lines who gathered in Uyo which included high ranking members of APC and PDP, a serving political appointee in the APC government, traditional fathers among others commended the Governor of Akwa Ibom State for his developmental strides in the State. The group noted that the birth of Ibom Air and other Industrial revolution of the Governor Udom Emmanuel led administration has opened up the State to foreign direct Investment.

"Apart from our collective resolve to stop Akpabio by all means from winning the Senatorial election in 2023, we also commended his Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel for his developmental strides in the State. From Ibom Air to the Jubilee syringe manufacturing company, to the flour mill, to the Coconut Refinery, among others, the Governor has done very well" A source within the group noted.

"On Akpabio, we celebrated the judgement of the Court of Appeal that annulled his candidacy and thanked one of our political leader who has been a top financier of the process"

"Our worry is that if Godswill Akpabio should ascend power at the Centre he may continue to influence the direction of the state. Yes, some of the attendee noted that the PDP Senatorial Candidate, Emmanuel Enoidem is arrogant and brash but he can be a very effective tool in bringing down Senator Godswill Akpabio and must be supported to do so"

Speaking at the meeting, a high ranking member of the APC assured the group that efforts have been made to ensure that APC does not have candidates in the forthcoming general election in the state, particularly APC candidates that are loyal to Senator Akpabio. He noted that the several law suits that have been raised against APC Party candidates were sponsored by him. According to him the recent Appeal Court Judgement that annulled the candidacy of Akpabio will set the tone for the final retirement of Akpabio from politics.

The group resolved that all hands must be on the desk to ensure that Senator Godswill Akpabio does not see any respite even if his cases go all the way to the Supreme Court.

What!