Some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State have accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio, state party chairman Mr. Stephen Ntukekpo, and the Minister of Petroleum (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, of betraying the party by allegedly aligning with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). According to the stakeholders, the party leadership in Akwa Ibom has been compromised in exchange for PDP’s support of Akpabio’s bid for a third term in 2027. This accusation was made in an open letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu, titled “The Worrisome State of the APC in Akwa Ibom State: A Call for Your Intervention,” and signed by Elder Okokon James, Peter Ibanga, and Chief Victor Affiah from the Uyo, Eket, and Ikot Ekpene Senatorial districts, respectively.

In the letter, the APC stakeholders expressed their frustration over the alleged actions of the state’s party leadership. They claimed that Mr. Ntukekpo and Ekperikpe Ekpo openly stated that they were directed by Akpabio to weaken the APC in Akwa Ibom, allowing the PDP to easily secure a victory in the 2027 elections, in return for PDP’s support for Akpabio’s third-term ambition. The letter further warned President Tinubu that unless swift action is taken to strengthen the APC in the state, there would be no members left to support him during his campaign visit next year. They expressed concern that the party’s spirit had been sold to the PDP, leading some members to consider joining an opposition coalition against Tinubu’s second-term bid.

The stakeholders also accused Akpabio of betraying the APC, the platform that helped him secure the Senate Presidency. They warned that if the party’s membership shifts to the opposition coalition, Akpabio and Ekpo should be held responsible. Additionally, they criticized Governor Umo Eno for refusing to join the APC and support Tinubu’s second-term ambitions, highlighting that while Eno’s team was strengthening their party, APC leaders were failing to demonstrate any efforts to revitalize the party in Akwa Ibom.

In response, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Senate President, dismissed the allegations, calling them baseless and mischievous. He stated that the individuals who signed the letter were unknown to the party and denied the claims, asserting that Akpabio had worked to strengthen the party through various appointments.