A former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State and founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Engr. Chris Ekpenyong, has blasted former governor Godswill Akpabio, saying his departure from the party that gave him fame and fortune, to pitch tent with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), was a clear case of betrayal and self-serving.
Ekpenyong also called on the Governor of the State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel to expose all the alleged financial misconducts of the past governor to the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He said this, weekend, in an interview with newsmen in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state capital.
Senator Akpabio had while decamping to the APC at a ceremony held at Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium, said that he was a nationalist on a mission to take Akwa Ibom to the larger picture
of national politics, explaining that “it would be difficult for my State to have a fair share of national cake while remaining as opposition”.
He added that his migration from the PDP, a platform he stood to rule Akwa Ibom for eight years (2007-2015), to the APC was not to shield himself from the anti-agency’s long arm, but to join hand with President Muhammadu Buhari, to fix Nigeria.
But Ekpenyong, his kinsman from the same Ikot Ekpene geo-political entity was quick to fault the former Minority Leader, saying the immediate past governor would continue to remain a serial liar, even when his (Akpabio’s) monumental frauds were common knowledge even to the birds.
His words, ”Akpabio left for the ruling party to escape justice and to seek more powers because he is an Emperor, who believes only in himself.
“Godswill is not used to consulting his people before taking decisions, even when he was the governor. And because he knew that his decision to defect from the PDP to the APC was entirely for his personal interests, he could not consult his people because he knew no one would support him.
”Governor Udom Emmanuel had in the last three years been subsumed under the spell of Akpabio. The former governor was living under the cover of this administration which made it impossible for the anti-graft agencies to nail him.
“As it is now, if I were to be Udom Emmanuel, I will expose Akpabio; I will reveal his books because he (Akpabio) should not continue to toss us around.
“He (Akpabio) was the person that called all of us to queue behind Udom and we all obeyed, even when 23 aspirants declared interest for the position. So, if he was no longer comfortable with his choice, he should formally consult and explain why it should be so.
“I don’t feel bad about his exit from the PDP because it is within his right and a big relief for the party.”
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