The victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC), specifically that of President Muhammadu Buhari in Akwa Ibom state in the 2019 general election, is dependent on the reelection of Senator Godswill Akpabio into the upper chamber of the National Assembly.
A chieftain of the APC, Uduak Okpo stated this on Thursday at Etim Ekpo local government area of the state during a mobilization campaign for Buhari and Senator Akpabio.
According to him, the APC in the state would emerge stronger and more united if Akpabio wins election into the Senate next year, adding that the former senate minority leader’s victory at the polls will earn Buhari more votes in the state.
Okpo said the dislodgement of the People’s Democratic Party government in Akwa Ibom was a task that needs to be accomplished.
The one-time House of Representatives candidate for Abak, Etim Ekpo, Ika federal constituency in 2007 and aspirant for Ikot Ekpene senatorial district in 2014, said the APC party primary election in 2014 but surrendered it for the interest of the party.
He said, “We have a formidable party now in Akwa Ibom capable of winning election. Therefore, we have to align with the former senate minority leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio and President Muhammadu Buhari and Hon Emmanuel Ekon for the federal House of Representatives. Let us unite to fight our common enemy and win Akwa Ibom for the APC”, he advised.
Okpo appreciated the national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the national chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomole for the option of direct primaries as a means to enfranchise all card carrying members of the party to participate in the primary election.
He lamented that he was robbed of his victory in the past by the ruling PDP in the state and implored all members to shun divisive tendencies and embrace Akpabio despite all differences with APC when he was the governor of the state.
Okpo, who is also the Akwa Ibom caucus member of the APC endorsed Precious Effiong as the aspirant for Etim Ekpo/Ika state constituency in pursuance of 35 percent affirmative action for women by the APC and party members not to stop galvanizing around greedy politicians for favour as all members are delegates in the party primaries.
He faulted the previous delegate primary election where a few members of a cabal took decision to nominate party flag bearers against the wish of party faithful.