Please forgive me, Akpabio begs Nsima Ekere, UOU, others ...Says this is the end of PDP in Niger Delta ...Oshiomhole declares Ex-governor leader of APC in A’Ibom

Please forgive me, Akpabio begs Nsima Ekere, UOU, others

...Says this is the end of PDP in Niger Delta

...Oshiomhole declares Ex-governor leader of APC in A’Ibom 

Former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio has pleaded Obong Nsima Ekere, Umana Okon Umana, Udoedehe and all those he offended in the past to forgive him.

Akpabio stated this at Ikot Ekpene township stadium during the grand reception to welcome him into the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday.

The former two-term governor said he was joining the APC in order to sweep poverty and insecurity away from the state. “This is the end of PDP in Niger Delta,” Akpabio vowed. He urged Nigerians not to be afraid of Buhari if their hands are clean, saying that Nigerians should join hands with the president to build a better Nigeria.

On his reason for defecting to the ruling APC, Senator Akpabio noted that he is a nationalist who believes in the progress of Nigeria. “ I am a nationalist. When a country is at war, all hands must be on deck to salvage it. I’m a conspirator. I want to conspire to stop killings in Nigeria. I want to conspire to stop killings and insecurity in Etim Ekpo, Ika and Ukanafun, I want to conspire to end poverty in Nigeria, I want to conspire yo create employment for Nigerians.”

On the Tropicana project, he accused Senator Ben Bruce for his inability to complete the project. He urged the Bayelsa Senator to come and complete the project. Akpabio also debunked insinuations by Senator Bruce that he was the brain behind the blockade of the Senate complex by security operatives. The ex minority leader said he was not the one that asked security operatives to block the Senate. “I am a man of peace and I was not the one that asked them to go there.”

He promised to deliver the entire south south to the APC, adding that the Niger Delta must not lag behind in the country.  “The South South cannot stand on its own. We must partake of what is ours. I’m taking Akwa Ibom and South South to the centre,” he said.

Akpabio said he’s not a traitor but a nationalist who believes in progress. He submitted that “this is the time for uncommon change in Nigeria and Akwa Ibom State.” He added that his defection is in the national interest. Akpabio noted that those saying he is defecting because of EFCC, noted that he was quizzed by the anti-graft agency and nothing incriminating was linked to his eight-year tenure as governor.

He said he left PDP because they opened their doors for those that abandoned and destroyed the party. “The PDP should have a reward system,” he said.

On his part, the National Chairman of APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, said he was excited and humbled by what he saw, adding that “today is a historic day in our party.” He stated that with Akpabio in the APC, he’s not afraid. He described Senator Akpabio as an uncommon defector.

The National Leader of the APC, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, said the APC will bring progress to Akwa Ibom. He described PDP as a visionless party, saying that “this is a broom revolution.They were given 16 years to build Nigeria but they failed.” He described Akpabio’s defection as a show of character and honour. While commending Senator Ita Enang, Senator Udo Udoma, Udoedehe and other leaders of APC in Akwa Ibom State, he urged them to work in unison to deliver the state to APC in 2019.

The Secretary to the Government of Federation, Boss Mustapha who represented president Muhammadu Buhari recommended the APC to Akwa Ibom State, noting that the party is working for the progress of Nigeria.

Immediate past Secretary to the State Government, Sir Etekamba Umoren, former Commissioner for Works, Mr. Don Etim, DIG Udom Ekpoudom, member representing Ika/Etim Ekpo State Constituency in the state House of Assembly, Hon. Gabriel Toby, Hon. Victor Antai, Akwa Ibom State deputy Chairman of PDP, Godwin Afanghide and several others all defected to the APC and pledged their commitment to the success of the party in the state.

Akpabio was joined at the occasion by over 30 senators led by the Senate Leader.  Speaking, Senate leader, Ahmed Lawan, said that “this is one defection that has shaken PDP to its foundation.” 

He described Akpabio as a nationalist who believes in president Buhari and the stability of Nigeria. “He’s very patriotic and has always considered national interest first in all he does. His influence is beyond the national assembly but across Nigeria.”

He said that Akpabio’s defection has swallowed all other defections that has taken place in recent time.

Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Obong Nsima Ekere said change has come to Akwa Ibom. “We are tired of a clueless government in the state. He said that Akwa Ibom will be delivered to APC in 2019. He urged the people to work for the reelection of President Buhari in next year’s polls, adding that the APC government will complete the Uyo/Ikot Ekpene Road next year.

Other speakers at the rally included APC national youth leader, woman leader and the party’s youth leader in Ikot Ekpene they all pledged their support to the APC led government, noting that the party has come to stay in the country.

A former House of Representatives member, Prof. Ini Udoka said Akpabio has always been a man of the people. He challenged the PDP to hold a similar rally that will command such a massive crowd.

Personalities at the rally included Umana Okon Umana, Sir Udoma Udo Udoma, former Bayelsa State governor, Timipre Sylva, Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, Segun Oni, among others.