A fresh crisis is brewing in Akwa Ibom State as the cold war between a political godfather, Senator Godswill Akpbio, and his godson, Governor Udom Emmanuel , may soon develop into a full-blown battle for the control of the South Eastern state.
Already, Akpabio, the immediate past governor of the state, who recently resigned his position as the Senate Minority Leader, has also abandoned his godson, formally, with his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, thus rekindling the battle between the two political bigwigs in the state.
The two leaders had been engaged in a secret brawl before now, especially with the alleged neglect, by Gov. Udom, of the Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, where Akpabio comes from, a developent Akpabio had challenged, alleging it was an attempt to reduce his popularity and influence in the state’s politics.
An intervention by the PDP leadership in the state had, however, reduced the tension between the duo on the matter.
Nevertheless, the bubble got burst with the recent decision by Akpabio to leave the PDP, claiming that his action was to help reposition the country, even as he affirmed that PDP and Udom’s reign in the state had come to an end with his defection.
“I decided to join the APC at this time because I am a nationalist. In times like this, everybody should support to bring peace to our dear nation; to stop the killings and ensure employment for our teeming youths.
“With my declaration, uncommon change has come to Akwa Ibom. We believe that South-South cannot stand alone on its own.
“We need to collaborate with others. I consulted. What I have done today is to take the people of the South-South to the centre.
“Whatever I do is in the interest of Akwa Ibom. I want to leave a legacy in the national interest.With my exit, this is the end of PDP in Niger Delta Delta’’, Akpabio said.
In what appeared to be a swift response to the defection of his boss, Emmanuel said his future political career lies in the hands of God and not any human being.
He added that he would not be swayed by the defection, saying Akpabio has in recent times been a clog in the wheel of progress of his administration.
“We are not surprised at Akpabio’s move; we are happy that he is leaving the People’s Democratic Party for any party he likes. We wish him well in his political decision. It is even our joy that he is leaving because he has, in recent time, become a thorn in our flesh,” the governor fired back at his political godfather.
As expected when two elephants fight, the grass is always the casualty . Two commissioners in the Akwa Ibom State Executive Council who are loyal to Senator Akpabio have already fallen victims of the raging battle between the two bigwigs.
Victor Antai, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism and his counterpart at the Labour, Productivity and Manpower Planning Ministry, Ibanga Akpabio , were immediately sacked for joining the jubilant crowd who thronged the Uyo Airport to welcome Akpabio ahead of his public defection to the APC. One of the sacked commissioners, Akpabio, is, in fact, a family member of the senator.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Emmanuel Ekuwem, said Antai and Akpabio were sacked from the State Executive Council because of their “reluctance to comply with good governance processes of government.”
Meanwhile, observers are keenly watching what will become the fate of the state in the hand of either of the two political bigwigs in 2019.
