The romance between the All
Progressives Congress (APC) and Senator Godswill Akpabio, the PDP Minority
Leader in the Senate, has unsettled the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Akpabio might defect to the APC
any moment from now once the “terms” are wrapped up, The Nation has reported.
The APC is upbeat about the
prospect, which analysts believe will be a major political mileage for
President Muhammadu Buhari in the South-South.
A PDP top notch said last night
that the party has been appealing to the ex-governor not to defect “but we
cannot please him and then displease the governor of the state, Deacon Udom
Emmanuel, who is the PDP leader in the state.”
There is no love lost between
Akpabio and Emmanuel. Emmanuel was practically made governor by Akpabio in
2015.
It was learnt that Akpabio had
made up his mind to defect on July 24 but was not recognised by the Senate
President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, who got wind of his move, to make his intention
public.
Notwithstanding, Akpabio showed
signs of his departure from the PDP on Thursday when he boycotted the special
meeting of the National Executive Committee of the PDP held to welcome
defectors including Saraki and governors Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Sokoto) and
Samuel Ortom of Benue state, among others.
A top APC source, who spoke in
confidence with our correspondent, said: “The APC and some of our leaders are
in serious talks with Akpabio, who is rated as a matchmaker in the South-South.
“The talks border on more deals
for the South-South, especially increase in derivation formula; enhanced
infrastructure for oil producing areas; how to sustain the ongoing reforms by
President Muhammadu Buhari; and arresting the developmental slide in Akwa Ibom
State.
“The former governor said his
likely defection to APC is informed more by patriotism than selfish interest.”
Responding to a question, the
source added: “The terms are still being worked out, but APC is favourably
disposed to Akpabio’s defection.
“The ex-governor has an open
mind, he has no airs and he does not pretend in asking for a better nation
which he thinks Buhari can offer.
“In fact, it was part of the
talks that made him visit Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday when the PDP
national EXCO was meeting in Abuja.
“We will no doubt accept him into
APC. This is a major development from the South-South.”
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