The end of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the Niger Delta has come.
This is the verdict of the former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
Akpbabio who was the Senate Minority Leader gave the verdict on Wednesday during his defection to the All Progressives Congress, APC, from the Peoples Democratic Party.
The defection was held at the Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium in Akwa Ibom State in front of a mammoth crowd gathered to celebrate the occasion.
Akpabio resigned his position as the Senate Minority Leader shortly before his defection.
In his resignation letter sent to the Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, he said his resignation came into effect on August 4.
Addressing the crowd witnessing his defection, Akpabio stated his reason for defection.
One of the reasons, he said, was his decision, as a nationalist to support President Buhari to move the nation forward.
His words: “People are saying why the APC? You need to know that I am a nationalist. My colleagues here today who are 35 in number have shown that I am a nationalist. Why APC? In troubled times like this, when a country is at war, all hands must be on deck to salvage the situation.
“This is a difficult period for Nigeria when insurgents are attacking us from Borno to Plateau, through Taraba Adamawa, Benue and down to Akwa Ibom. May the souls of those who have died rest in perfect peace. In a period of insurgency I will like to join hands to bring food to the table of Nigerians.
“I will like to help to bring peace to Benue State; I will like to help to stop the killings in our dear nation; I will like to help to ensure full employment for our children; I will like to bring about uncommon transformation to Nigeria; I will not like to be a conspirator who will like to topple government.”
Akpabio urged the people of the state not to be afraid of President Muhammadu Buhari.
He said if he could support him, they could also do the same.
“Do not be afraid of President Buhari. He is a man who won election on the basis of integrity. That is why I am standing for him. Nigerians have not seen the best of Buhari. If you can follow me, please follow Buhari,” he said.
Akpabio did not join the APC alone.
Many of his loyalists moved with him.
He spoke further: “Some commissioners came to receive me at the airport and they were sacked. Is that the way to go?
“Deputy state chairman along with other executives of the PDP dumped the party for the APC all because of me.
“I did not want to talk about Akwa Ibom because I am on national television but I will tell you something today. Some people are saying they put a gun on my head. I have a young man here today who wrote a petition about me to the EFCC. Those petitions were sorted out. As I stand before you, I have never been charged to court because nothing was found. I can see what they say on the social media. In Akwa Ibom State, about 139 newspapers used to eat through my name. Sometimes, even when I am in the church they say Akpabio was caught in London with 10 million dollars at Heathrow Airport.”
“The South South cannot stand on its own. Akwa Ibom as the largest producer of oil cannot stand on its own. We need to be carried along by the centre. I met Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and after that I flew to meet the leader of Nigeria, the man who is ruling Nigeria today, President Muhammadu Buhari, a man of integrity. Some people saw the picture and called it an old picture.
“I want to confirm to you that what I have done today is to take the South South to the centre. For those who say I am a traitor, I will never be a traitor. Those who are ganging up to stop the government of the day, we won’t see election if we follow them. There will be no February.
“As I speak with you, members of the National Assembly from Akwa Ibom are all with me. Those who have been Senators and others at National Assembly are all here. The South South is now APC. The Niger Delta is now APC. To God be the glory.
“Let me talk about my dear brother. I wouldn’t have mentioned his name but because he believes in lies. Ben Bruce, he should come and complete the Tropicana. He won the contract for Tropicana. How can he be shouting that I was at the National Assembly yesterday just to damage my name? I was inside a plane to come and join you today and he was shouting look at what Akpabio is doing to us.
“I am a man of peace I can’t be a terrorist. I even called the security to take home because some of them must have taken Tramadol. I was never at the National Assembly.”
National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, praised Akpabio for joining the ruling party.
“It is great to see the bond of the great people of Akwa Ibom State and the immediate past governor, Akpabio.
“I am happy that I am no longer alone. Edo State is no longer the APC controlled state in the South South. There are people who have given the impression that Akwa Ibom belongs to them. There is no question that come February next year, the great people of Akwa Ibom will effect change under the leadership of Akpabio,” Oshiomhole said.
Former governor of Lagos State and national leader of the APC, took a swipe at those who recently left the APC for the PDP.
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Said he: “The thieves of yesterday, the thieves of today and the thieves of tomorrow. Are we going to allow them? Please don’t be deceived. These are very tempting moments. But in the future Nigeria will know the difference between Party A and Party B.
“They wanted Buhari to share the money but he refused. Many of them were told that if Buhari wins in 2019, they will go to jail. The man from Kano had to put his name among the Senators defecting because of that.”
Tinubu praised Akpabio for joining APC, and urged the people of Akwa Ibom State to support the party in 2019.
Other dignitaries present were Senator Kabiru Gaya from Kano State; Senator Ali Ndume; Senator Baba Garba; Senator Andy Uchendu; Senator Gbenga Ashafa and Senator Gbolahon Dada.
Also present were Senator John Enoch; Senator Abdullahi Yahaya; Senator Abdullahi Gumel; Senator Mohammad Sanni; Senator Abdullahi Adamu; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, who represented President Buhari and Senator Ita Enang.
