Former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Christopher Ekpenyong, has urged the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) not to mourn the exit of Senator Godswill Akpabio, saying he was only going on Sabbatical to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) “to seek refuge and forgiveness from his eight years of sleaze as governor of the State”. Speaking in Uyo, the State capital at the weekend, Ekpenyong, one of the founding members of the PDP, explained that Akpabio’s, sudden departure from the party that gave him fame and fortunes, without consulting his people, was a pointer to the fact that “he (Akpabio) was fleeing from justice”.
According to Ekpenyong, who served as Deputy to former Obong Victor Attah (1999-2005), Akpabio left for the ruling party to escape justice and to seek more powers “because he is an Emperor, who believes only in himself”.
He said governor Udom Emmanuel had in the last three years been under the spell of Akpabio, adding that the former governor was living under the cover of the administration which makes it impossible for the anti-graft agencies to nail him. His words: “Godswill is not used to consulting his people before taking decisions, even when he was the governor. And because he knew that his decision to defect from the PDP to the APC was entirely for his personal interests, he could not consult his people because he knew no one would support him.
“It is time for the people of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District to open their eyes because in 2019, we should not allow ourselves continue to remain under the influence of an emperor and a gangster because no matter how powerful you are, you cannot be greater than your people.
“As it is now, if I were to be Udom Emmanuel, I will expose Akpabio; I will reveal his books because he (Akpabio) should not continue to toss us around. “He (Akpabio) was the person that called all of us to queue behind Udom and we all obeyed, even when 23 aspirants declared interest for the position.
So, if he was no longer comfortable with his choice, he should formally consult and explain why it should be so. “I don’t feel bad about his exit from the PDP because it is within his right and a big relief for the party. Therefore, every Annang son and daughter should be guided to remain resolute for the PDP in 2019 because this kind of action by Akpabio is not in the interest of the people and Akwa Ibom. “It would be unfair and unjust for the central government to want to use anti-democratic forces to take over Akwa Ibom State by force and I enjoin the people to rally round governor Emmanuel, especially now that Akpabio’s overbearing influence has been taken away by God”.
