Emeka Samuel, UYO
A group operating under the aegis of Movement for Better Nigeria (MBN) has called on the National Chairman of All Progressive Congress (APC) Abdullahi Adamu to expel Senators Godswill Akpabio and John Akpan-Udoedehe from the party in Akwa Ibom for bringing division into the party .
Addressing a press conference in Uyo on Tuesday, spokesman of the group Dr. Paul Dowell said the duo of Akpabio and Udoedehe have always taken the party backwards because of their personal interests.
The group insisted that the two gladiators have caused the downfall of APC in AKwa Ibom state from 2011 to 2019 adding that the party would not fold its arms to see these personalities cause the party to lose the next general elections.
The group spokesman said the duo have grounded APC in the state because of their personal and selfish interest and cannot accept such a disposition in 2023.
“What we have been suffering in this state since 2011 is the ownership and entitlement mentality of a member who feels that without him there is No APC in Akwa Ibom, that is why we have remained down politically in the state.
“In 2015 that same person came again claiming to be the owner of APC when the likes of Comrade David Ekanem, Late Idongesit Udoekpo, Late Steve Ibanga and others who went to his house and lobbied him to leave PDP and join APC did not claim ownership. That same fight began and APC lost the election.
“We will no longer fold our arms and watch these people take us back to the dark days. It is said that when two elephants fight, the grass suffers. In this case, APC in Akwa Ibom suffers the fight between the two persons in the party which has led to the polarisation of the party.
“Though Akpabio was compensated with the office of the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, taking the glory of other people who worked tirelessly for the party while Udoedehe became the National Secretary.” He said.
He however recalled that ambushing of APC governorship primaries materials from Airport to where there shootings along Oron road in uyo city was a manifestation of the two factions working for themselves instead of the party in the state.
“The ambush of national officers from the Obong Victor Attah’s International airport, the sporadic shooting and the fracas between the two groups, were indicators that peace is still far from the two groups in the party.” Dowell said.
He also made a case for the election of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the forthcoming APC national convention saying he has the experience, integrity and intellect to reposition the country.
