As Senator Godswill Akpabio’s planned defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) continues to generate reactions in Akwa Ibom State, political discussions surrounding the move have intensified across the media.
There have been different reactions from political stakeholders and supporters of the two major parties, with speculation, denials and competing interpretations of the reasons behind the former Akwa Ibom governor’s decision.
In a statement, political commentator Clement Ikpatt argued that Akpabio’s planned defection had nothing to do with any investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Ikpatt maintained that the move was primarily political, dismissing suggestions that the senator was defecting to escape possible investigation by the anti-graft agency.
He questioned why Akpabio would wait until 2018 to defect if avoiding an EFCC investigation was the motivation behind his decision, noting that controversies involving the senator and the agency had been in the public domain for some time.
According to him, “Sen. Akpabio’s decision to defect from the PDP has nothing to do with any previous or pending case with the EFCC.”
Ikpatt further claimed that there was no pending EFCC case against Akpabio, arguing that a previous petition against the senator had been withdrawn by its author.
He also drew a comparison with political developments in Kwara State, where several PDP members had moved to the APC amid disagreements within the party.
Ikpatt argued that such political movements could not automatically be interpreted as attempts to avoid investigations, stressing that political disagreements and changing alliances were common factors behind defections.
Akpabio’s planned move to the APC had become a major talking point in Akwa Ibom politics, particularly because of his long-standing influence in the state and his previous position as governor.
Ikpatt contended that the defection could have significant implications for the political calculations of both the PDP and APC ahead of the 2019 general elections.
He argued that Akpabio’s movement to the APC could alter existing political alignments in Akwa Ibom and potentially affect the wider political landscape of the South-South region.
According to Ikpatt, the formal defection ceremony was scheduled for Wednesday, August 8, 2018, with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, APC National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole, NDDC Managing Director Nsima Ekere and other political leaders expected to attend.
The writer further argued that Akpabio’s defection could strengthen the APC’s political structure in Akwa Ibom and provide the party with a stronger platform ahead of the 2019 elections.
He also expressed the view that the move would bring an end to what he described as political disagreements between Akpabio and his successor, Governor Udom Emmanuel.
Ikpatt predicted that the defection would have far-reaching consequences for the state’s political landscape, including a possible shift in the balance of power between the PDP and APC.
However, the political significance of the move remained a subject of debate, with supporters of both parties offering different assessments of its likely impact on the 2019 elections.
For Ikpatt, the decision represented a political realignment rather than an attempt to avoid any investigation, insisting that Akpabio’s movement should be understood within the broader context of the changing political dynamics in Akwa Ibom State.
— Clement Ikpatt
0 Comments