Senator Godswill Akpabio is grappling with escalating political turmoil in Akwa Ibom State, highlighted by a fervent protest from disgruntled members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during a recent state congress.
The demonstration unfolded outside the residence of the Senate President, amid allegations that former members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), aligned with Governor Umo Eno, have seized critical leadership roles within the APC. Eyewitnesses reported a charged atmosphere, with a large assembly of party loyalists voicing their frustration over what they termed a “forceful takeover” by newcomers.
Protesters, brandishing placards and chanting slogans, accused these former PDP members of manipulating the APC’s internal processes during the congress. One participant, identifying himself as an APC stakeholder, lamented, “We built this party from the ground up. Now, people who never believed in APC are taking over our structures. This is unacceptable.”
Another protester directly implored the Senate President to distance the party from these new entrants, stating, “Tell the so-called ‘APC United’ new entrants ‘Kappa Party Nnyin Nno Nnyin.’ We don’t need PDP members again,” blending English and Ibibio to convey the crowd’s exasperation.
This protest follows rising speculation that Governor Umo Eno and his PDP allies have significantly influenced the APC state congress’s outcomes, effectively reshaping the party’s leadership in Akwa Ibom. Some APC members view this development as a signal of a broader political realignment that could undermine the influence of longstanding party figures, including Akpabio himself.
A senior member of the APC, who requested anonymity, described the situation as “a struggle for the soul of the party,” adding, “What happened at the congress was not organic. It was coordinated. Many of us feel sidelined and betrayed.”
As of now, neither Akpabio nor Governor Umo Eno has publicly addressed the protest or the takeover allegations.
The ongoing crisis poses serious challenges for party unity in Akwa Ibom ahead of upcoming electoral contests. What was meant to be a consolidation of APC structures has instead unveiled profound divisions, raising critical questions about leadership and cohesion within the party in this oil-rich state.
How Senator Godswill Akpabio navigates this internal strife will be pivotal in determining his political future within Akwa Ibom’s rapidly shifting political landscape.
