2023: PDP disowns banner supporting Akpabio’s presidential declaration

Ini Billie, Uyo

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State has denounced the party’s banner supporting the Presidential declaration of the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

A conspicuous banner from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) supporting the Presidential declaration of Akpabio caused a stir at Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium, the venue of the declaration on Wednesday.

The bewildered crowd were heard discussing the banner which had been on display for hours before it was taken down.

The banner was captioned: “People’s Democratic Party, Akwa Ibom State Chapter in support of His Excellency, Chief Dr Godswill Akpabio for President in 2023”.

This is happening when the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel has started consultations with political bigwigs of the PDP across the country for his presidential ambition, though he has yet to officially declare his intention to contest the presidential election.

It can be recalled that the Human Rights family radio known as Berekete bought the Presidential form for Governor Emmanuel and presented the form to him in Uyo, urging him to run for President of the country.

In its reaction, State Publicity Secretary of PDP, Mr Borono Bassey described the action as the work of mischief-makers who planned to use the party to score points but failed.

Bassey said the handlers of the former Governor chose to embarrass their principal by reminding him that “any of his political aspirations will amount to nothing if such aspiration does not come on the platform of the only Party in Akwa Ibom State – the Peoples Democratic Party.

“As a Party, we are glad by this overwhelming decision by Chief Akpabio and his handlers to again admit the obvious truth, that without the platform of the PDP, electoral victories in the state are impossible.

“We are motivated by the reverberating message by Akwa Ibom People that the only party they have come to accept is the Peoples Democratic Party.

“Our commitment as a Party in Akwa Ibom State to continue to stay as a platform for the emergence of leaders and representatives who offer superlative stewardship to our people is total.

“We must remind mischief-makers and people with unrealistic political ambitions that although we will not be the ones to throw the first salvo, we will stop at nothing to visit our sledgehammer on any political fly that wants to perch on and abuse our pristine image as a Party,” he stated.