Senator Godswill Akpabio, the former Niger Delta Affairs Minister, has been told to drop out of the Senate race or risk losing in the general election the following year by former petroleum minister Chief Don Etiebet.
The setback that awaits Akpabio, according to Etiebet, will be more humiliating than the one he had in 2019, he said in a weekend interview with journalists.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart said that the Akwa Ibom North West senatorial district seat should be held by the Abak 5 federal constituency rather than Akpabio's home area of Ikot Ekpene.
“Since 1960, Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency has gone to Senate three times – Akaninyene Ukpanah, Donald Etiebet and Bob Ekarika whereas Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency has gone five times – with Akpabio’s family twice in Nsima Akpabio and Godswill Akpabio whereas Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency has not gone even once.”
“The four Federal Constituencies of Ukanafun/Oruk Anam, Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara, Ini/Ikono, Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika, make up Akwa Ibom North West (Ikot Ekpene) Senatorial District and it is the considered opinion of all peace-loving people of Annang land that “Brother dey chop, brother no chop” is not good.”
“And that this time around the Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency which has not gone to the senate since 1960 should be given the ticket,’ he said.
Etiebet argued that even the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has agreed that Abak 5 should produce the next senator for the district.
“In the PDP Senator Christopher Ekpenyong from Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency has stepped down for Emmanuel Enoidem from Etim Ekpo and Abak Federal Constituency.
“It is therefore natural justice that Godswill Akpabio who has even gone to the Senate once should step down for DIG Ekpoudom (Retd),” he stressed.