PDP didn’t expel Akpabio from party in A’Ibom

By Isaac Job, Uyo

The Akwa Ibom state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday declared that at no time did the party in the state expel or suspend the senator representing Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

Our correspondent recalls that the Federal High Court, Abuja, presided by Justice Okon Abang had ruled last week Friday, that the former Senate minority leader only “moved to join the APC out of frustration of being expelled by the PDP through a letter dated August 2, 2018.”

The judge held that having been expelled, Sen. Akpabio was at liberty to join another political party of his choice to actualize his ambition.

But, addressing a press conference in Uyo yesterday, the PDP state Publicity Secretary, Ini Emembong described Akpabio’s alleged movement as an ignoble comedy taken beyond sane limits.

“The Akwa Ibom state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has read a news item flowing from the judgement of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, presided over by Justice Abang.

“We state that nothing can be farther from the truth than the transparent lie of expulsion spewed by Sen. Akpabio. We make bold to state that at no time was Akpabio suspended or expelled from the party.

“Sen. Akpabio had announced to the world on August 8, 2018 that he was defecting from the PDP to the APC in pursuit of national interest and to stem the tide of defections at the National Assembly. In fact, at different campaigns, he mocked the PDP as being empty since his uncommon defection.

“At no time did he mention the issue of expulsion, which has now become his creation as a lame defence to keep his seat. He conspired with Ntiedo Usoro, the then chapter chairman of Essien Udim to illegally write a letter of expulsion to him and back date same.

“The said Ntiedo having completed his assignment, later defected and joined Sen. Akpabio in the APC,” the PDP said.

The PDP spokesperson added that “this ignoble comedy which has been taken beyond sane limits is most condemnable and dishonorable. It is indicative of the
total exit of honour from a man whom many erroneously held in high esteem.”

Ememobong said there was no way Senator Akpabio could have been expelled by the party without the consent of the state executive committee of the party, asserting that “there is no record showing the existence of such a punitive move undertaken against the senator by his ward or chapter executive council. Expulsion is a process and not an event.”

He called on Senator Akpabio to desist from including the PDP in his serial lies, adding that by defecting from the PDP he has become history to the party.