Some senior members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom have written to President Bola Tinubu, claiming that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and other party leaders are working to weaken APC in the state.
In an open letter titled “The Worrisome State of the APC in Akwa Ibom State: A Call for Your Urgent Intervention,” party elders Elder Okokon James, Hon. Peter Ibanga, and Chief Victor Affiah alleged that Akpabio, Minister of Petroleum (Gas) Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, and APC state chairman Stephen Ntukekpo are trying to hand over control of the party to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor Umo Eno.
The chieftains claim that Akpabio and his allies are deliberately weakening APC in Akwa Ibom to ensure an easy victory for PDP in the 2027 elections. In return, they allege, Akpabio hopes to secure PDP’s support for his third-term Senate ambition.
According to them, the party chairman and the minister have publicly stated that Akpabio directed them to weaken the APC. The elders argue that this move is a betrayal of loyal party members who have worked hard for APC over the years.
The APC elders warn that if the party is not revived, there will be no members left to welcome President Tinubu when he visits the state for his re-election campaign. They claim that many party members are already considering joining a coalition against Tinubu’s second-term bid.
They also express disappointment that, despite producing a Senate President and a minister, APC in Akwa Ibom is struggling. They warn that if nothing is done, it will be difficult to mobilize support for Tinubu in the state during the 2027 elections.
The letter urges President Tinubu to take immediate action to save the APC in Akwa Ibom. The chieftains believe that if the current situation continues, Akpabio’s political future could be in jeopardy, as he is relying on PDP’s support for re-election.
They conclude by holding Akpabio and the Minister of Petroleum (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, responsible for any mass defections from APC to opposition parties.
