The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to “perish the thought” that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would produce the next governor of Akwa Ibom State in 2027.

Akpabio recently said the APC would produce the next governor of Akwa Ibom State in 2027.

In its reaction, the PDP, in a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, said the “scheme to use false claims and inciting comments to destabilize Akwa Ibom State has already failed.”

Ologunagba said Akpabio should “come to terms with the fact that the people of Akwa Ibom State are firmly rooted in the PDP as a peaceful and united people blessed by God, especially under the immediate past and current administration.”

He added: “They cannot be swayed by any agent of disunity, incitement, hatred, and retrogression whose intention is to use propaganda and hate speeches to derail and appropriate the State for selfish interest.

“The boast by Senator Akpabio to take over Akwa Ibom State in 2027 is not only pathetically empty but further exposes his level of arrogance and disdain for the sensibility, intelligence, democratic right, and sovereignty of the people of Akwa Ibom State.

READ ALSO: Police teargas sacked Plateau PDP lawmakers

“Our Party advices Senator Akpabio to leave Akwa Ibom State alone and focus on the challenges of his office as Senate President which is alleged to be engaged in process manipulation and sharp practices including alleged budget padding and diversion of public funds.

“Senator Akpabio should address the allegations in the public domain that a prominent official of the National Assembly in connivance with another top official in the Presidency have been using ministers and other government functionaries to siphon billions of Naira including funds meant for palliatives for poor Nigerians under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

“Senator Akpabio should note that the office of the Senate President does not confer any form of immunity on him from investigation and/or prosecution. In any event, he must know that time does not run against the State in criminal matters.

“Senator Akpabio should as a matter of public duty concentrate on attending to the plethora of allegations of corruption around him to justify the respect and integrity expected of the occupier of the office of the Senate President.”

The PDP spokesman, however, urges the people of Akwa Ibom State to disregard Senator Akpabio’s antics and remain united in their determination to continue to build the state under the party.

The Star