Senate 2023: Blame Etiebet for APC’s impending failure – Akpabio cries out
Senator Godswill Akpabio, a former minister of Niger Delta Affairs, claims that former petroleum minister and APC chieftain Chief Don Etiebet, who has openly rebelled against his senatorial aspiration, is to blame for the All Progressives Congress’s (APC) impending defeat in the Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District in the 2023 election.
Akpabio in statement titled “Etiebet’s Gloomy Prognosis” and signed by Mr Joe Iniodu, Director Media and Publicity of Akwa Ibom Democratic Forum (ADF), a factional interest group within the Akwa Ibom State Chapter of the APC, Akpabio noted that Etiebet’s open insistence that Abak 5 will vote for a Senatorial candidate from Abak federal Constituency and not him amounts to anti-party which will only spell doom for APC in the Senatorial District.
“”Much as he reserves the right to this opinion, it is not the position a Member of the Board of Trustees of the party should publicly canvass to avert the labelling of anti party”, Akpabio fumed.
The statement read in parts, “I read with deep concern Atuekong Don Etiebet’s extrapolation on the matter surrounding the APC ticket of Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District in which our revered Elder Statesman raised propositions that seem to be confusing and offensive to the grundnurm of law and logic in the first instance and against the interest of the party which he is a member of the Board of Trustees. Much as these views are his entitlements and within the limits of his rights, they have the likelihood to rankle and arouse public sensibilities in manners that are not consistent with our age-long values”.
“”The former petroleum minister holds the view that a disgraceful and shattering defeat awaits Akpabio in the 2023 Senate election…His proposed option which categorically states that the whole Abak 5 has resolved to back a candidate from Abak/Etim-Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency from any party to win if APC must field a non Abak 5 candidate leaves much to be desired being a respected party man. Our dear Father and Elder statesman has harped on the need for peace and justice. Every society with respected father figures like him is considered to be in advantage especially when it comes to the quest for these desirable values; peace and justice”, Akpabio begged.
He insisted that Abak 5 opposition to his Senate bid which seems to cut across party lines means the APC is headed for a cul de sac, noting that though he knows he has serially offended Abak 5 in the past, the state and country is at a crossroad and what is done or said may make or mar the future.
“Elections would come and go but the scars we inflict in the course of the process through our utterances may take eternity to heal. We can not in every sense of good faith afford that. We must evolve a political culture that is decent, friendly, less rancorous and less in malice. The current state of our politics is mired in malevolence and malice.
“We must consciously change this raging tide that is fast cascading our society to a brutish state that would foist a fratricidal competition that would bring no meaningful gain to our society. After-all, the office being sought is actually expected to be used to serve the people”, he pleaded.
Responding, Chief Don Etiebet said the country is now in campaign mode, hence he has decided to stand on the path of truth, justice, and equity.
According to Chief Etiebet, “Politics is not only power play but consensus sacrificing actions to achieve desired goals in peace and harmony. In 2007 when we fought a very keen contested election for Godswill Akpabio to succeed Obong Victor Attah as Governor, we Annang Leaders had to force Abak-5 senatorial aspirants, because it was their turn, to step down for Senator Aloysius Etok from Ini/Ikono Federal Constituency, so that Ini/Ikono can produce a Senator which was impossible ordinarily in order for them to vote for an Annang man, Godswill Akpabio, to succeed Victor Attah as Governor as he didn’t support him””.
“”That was a sacrifice for Godswill Akpabio. Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency has sacrificed their turn three times since 1999- in 2007 to Senator Aloysius Etok, in 2015 again to Senator Godswill Akpabio and in 2019 to Senator Christopher Ekpenyong. It is only expedient and good naturalness that we should allow them to go this time. That’s the stand of Abak-5″, he declared.
