On Thursday, a pro-Akpabio group affiliated with the All Progressives Congress took on former minister of petroleum Chief Don Etiebet over his remarks regarding the Akwa Ibom North-West (Ikot Ekpene) senatorial district seat. The group urged the party to hold Etiebet accountable if Senator Godswill Akpabio loses the senatorial election the following year.
If Akpabio does not resign in favor of a former deputy inspector general of police, Udom Ekpoudom, Etiebet, an APC chieftain and board trustee, has promised to guarantee that Akpabio loses the election for the Senate in 2023.
The senior statesman contended that Akpabio’s home district, Ikot Ekpene, should not have the right to occupy the Red Chambers for the district, but rather Abak Federal Constituency.
The organization claimed, however, that Etiebet was organizing a mutiny against the APC and Akpabio’s senatorial aspiration in a statement issued by its director of media and publicity, Mr. Joe Iniodu, and made accessible to our correspondent in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
“I read with deep concern Atuekong Don Etiebet’s extrapolation on the matter surrounding the APC ticket of Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District, in which our revered Elder Statesman raised propositions that seem to be confusing and offensive to the fundamental rules of law and logic in the first instance and against the interests of the party which he is a member of the Board of Trustees,” the statement titled “Etiebet’s Gloomy Pro
“Much as these views are his entitlements and within the limits of his rights, they have the likelihood to rankle and arouse public sensibilities in manners that are not consistent with our age-long values.
“The former petroleum minister holds the view that a disgraceful and shattering defeat awaits Akpabio in the 2023 Senate election.
“His proposed option which categorically states that the whole Abak 5 has resolved to back a candidate from Abak/Etim-Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency from any party to win if APC must field a non Abak 5 candidate leaves much to be desired being a respected party man.
“Our dear father and elder statesman has harped on the need for peace and justice. Every society with respected father figures like him is considered to be in advantage especially when it comes to the quest for these desirable values; peace and justice.”
“Politics is not only power play but consensus and sacrificing actions to achieve desired goals in peace and harmony. In 2007 when we fought a very keenly contested election for Godswill Akpabio to succeed Obong Victor Attah as Governor, we Annang leaders had to force Abak-5 senatorial aspirants, because it was their turn, to step down for Senator Aloysius Etok from Ini/Ikono Federal Constituency, so that Ini/Ikono could produce a senator which was impossible ordinarily in order for them to vote for an Annang man, Godswill Akpabio, to succeed Victor Attah as Governor as he didn’t support him.
“That was a sacrifice for Godswill Akpabio. Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency has sacrificed their turn three times since 1999- in 2007 to Senator Aloysius Etok, in 2015 again to Senator Godswill Akpabio and in 2019 to Senator Christopher Ekpenyong. It is only expedient and good naturalness that we should allow them to go this time. That’s the stand of Abak-5,” he declared.
