Some stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State have accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the party’s state chairman Stephen Ntukekpo, and the Minister of Petroleum (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, of selling out the party to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in exchange for the PDP’s support for Akpabio’s 2027 third-term bid.
This accusation was made in an open letter to President Bola Tinubu titled “The Worrisome State of the APC in Akwa Ibom State: A Call for Your Intervention,” which was co-signed by Elder Okokon James, Peter Ibanga, and Chief Victor Affiah, representatives from the Uyo, Eket, and Ikot Ekpene Senatorial districts, respectively.
In the letter, a copy of which was shared with news outlets on Sunday in Uyo, the stakeholders wrote:
“We, the founding members of the All Progressives Congress in Akwa Ibom State, feel compelled to write this open letter to you. The state chairman of the party, Mr. Stephen Ntukekpo, and the Minister of Petroleum (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, are openly stating that they were instructed by the Senate President to weaken the party in the state, thus allowing the PDP to easily win in the 2027 elections in exchange for PDP’s backing of Akpabio’s third-term ambition.”
The letter continues: “We want to inform Mr. President that if urgent measures are not taken to revive and strengthen the party in Akwa Ibom, there will be no members left to welcome you when you visit next year for your campaign. The soul and spirit of the party have been sold to the PDP-led government, and as a result, party members are preparing to join an opposition coalition against your second-term bid.”
They also expressed their disbelief that the party in Akwa Ibom has been effectively neutralized despite having the Senate President and the Minister of Petroleum Resources representing the state. The stakeholders condemned Akpabio’s actions as a betrayal of trust and treachery against the party that gave him the platform to become Senate President.
They further warned that Governor Umo Eno would neither join the APC nor commit to Tinubu’s second-term efforts.
In response on Sunday, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Senate President, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, dismissed the allegations as baseless and intended to cause mischief.
