From Nsisong Morgan, Akwa Ibom
Former Senate minority leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio on Wednesday officially dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressive Congress (APC), saying President Muhammadu Buhari’s high level of integrity and his nationalistic outlook are the major reasons, he is joining the ruling party.
Speaking during a mega rally held at Ikot Ekpene Senatorial district in Akwa Ibom State, Akpabio stressed that President Buhari must be supported to keep Nigeria afloat and strengthen the economy.
“Why APC? You need to know that I’m a nationalist. In troubled times like this, when a country is at war, all hands must be on deck to service the federation. This is a difficult moment for Nigeria”.
“In a period of election or in a period of national emergency, everybody should put hands together to support the governement to bring peace to people. I will like to be a conspirator who joins hands to conspire to bring food to the table of Nigerians.
“As keepers of national emergency, everyone should put heads together. I decided to join to emancipate the people and provide succour for the people.’’
The lawmaker’s defection has long been expected since he met with President Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and APC national leader, Mr. Bola Tinubu, within the past six days.
Tinubu, APC chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, and Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, were some of the top officials who attended the rally.
Senate Majority Leader, Ahmed Lawan(Yobe North) was also present at the rally with over a dozen senators of the APC to support Akpabio whose defection follows on the heels of the mass exodus of APC lawmakers, including Senate President, Bukola Saraki, who moved to the PDP.
While speaking at the rally on Wednesday, Lawan said Akpabio’s defection will shake the PDP to its very foundations.
He said, “Last two weeks, some of our colleagues decamped to PDP and ADC, this has not shaken the party or the country. Today, the declaration by the one and only uncommon senator in the history of Nigeria has shaken Akwa Ibom and Nigeria to its very foundations.
“This defection has swallowed all previous defections. One that is equal to more than 14. This is one defection that has shaken the PDP to its very foundations”.
“Earlier, Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NNDC), Mr. Nsima Ekere, said that change had come to Akwa Ibom and SouthSouth.
He said that Akwa Ibom has joined the progressive states because the people were dissatisfied with the long misrule of the PDP.
He said that Akpabio built the people and provided them with infrastructure but the present PDP government was a failure.
Ekere said that the people have agreed to re-elect President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.
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