Nationnewslead report that The Senator-Elect for Akwa Ibom North West under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC has abandoned the party’s governorship candidate, Akanimo Udofia at the middle of the road and declared support for the governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party, YPP Obong Bassey Akpan (OBA) ahead of the March 18, governorship election.
It could be recalled that Akpabio, a chieftain in APC single handedly picked Udofia from the PDP, having sensed the impossibility of him getting ticket to APC to spite Senator James Udoedeghe who stood better chance of winning APC primary ticket.
However, Akpabio, it was gathered has turned around to support the governorship candidate of YPP, Senator Akpan just for his (Akpabio) selfish gains, a situation which commentators described as a clear case of anti party activity.
Investigation revealed that prior to the National Assembly elections, Akpabio who was desperate to win the election had an agreement with OBA, the YPP’s guber candidate to ask his (OBA) supporters as well as the party’s senatorial candidate for the district Emmanuel Ekon to support him that he, Akpabio would reciprocate same gesture during the governorship polls.
An insider source narrated to our correspondent, “prior to the NASS election Akpabio had a pact with OBA that if he would mobilize his people to support him that he will do the same for him during the governorship election and Akpabio later won the election.
Akpabio in attempt to reciprocate the gesture instructed his supporters to root in for OBA.
The source questioned how a party chieftain who brought out a candidate would abandon him halfway to support another candidate from another party.
He continued, but Akpabio used Akan Udofia to fight James Udoedehe, Ita Enang, Umana Umana and Nsima Ekere. He accused those people of engaging in anti party but that is exactly what he is neck deep into.
Our source also noted that another indication that Akpabio is supporting another candidate of different party was when he sent Ex DIG Udom Ekpoudom whom he snatched his mandate before their graveyard peace to receive OBA and assure him of the support of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial district.
He, however, described as act of shame, the move by Ekpoudom, an APC chieftain who claims to be stickler to tenets of his party to publicly declare support for YPP governorship candidate even after it was established that APC, his party has a governorship candidate.
Another source who pleaded anonymity expressed concern over unholy alliance between Akpabio and OBA recalling the high level of killings, kidnapping, intimidations during Akpabio’s regime orchestrated by Bassey Albert who was a commissioner during the regime and expressed fear that same scenario may play out if Akwa Ibom people do not stop it now by voting against them.
“The sudden romance between Akpabio and OBA is worrisome. Under Akpabio’s regime there were cases of killings and OBA was rumoured to be actively involved. Akpabio coming out openly to declare support for OBA shows that this thing could resurrect again.” He said. Continue Reading
Contact: Nationnewslead.com
