Ahead of his formal defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday, the minority leader of the 8th senate, Mr. Godswill Akpabio has resigned his position.
Akpabio, who represents Ikot Ekpene senatorial district, conveyed his resignation in a letter dated August 4, 2018.
The letter reads: “May I extend to you and my dear colleagues in the PDP senate caucus of the 8th senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria the compliments and best wishes of my constituent and I.
“This letter is to inform you of my resignation as senate minority leader with effect from August 4, 2018.
“Let me thank the senate minority leadership, our distinguished colleagues in our great party, the PDP for the opportunity to lead the caucus in the last three years.
Please accept the assurances of my highest esteem.”
Also in statement, his media aide, Mr. Jackson Udom said: “Senator Akpabio is expected to be received into the All Progressives Congress (APC) at a rally in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State on Wednesday, August 8, 2018.”
In preparation for his formal defection, Akpabio had met with the vice president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on August 2 in Abuja, President Muhammadu Buhari in London on August 5 and the national leader of the APC, Bola Tinubu in Abuja on August 6.
Akpabio is seen by the APC as a prized political fish netted from the PDP waters and he is expected to ensure that Buhari scores at least 25 per cent in Akwa Ibom State in 2019, even if the party (APC) does not win the governorship election.
