Senator Akpan Dumps PDP, Says He Consulted God

The lawmaker representing Akwa Ibom North-East senatorial district of Akwa Ibom State, Albert Bassey Akpan has renounced his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Akpan had in March 2022, announced his intention to run for the office of the governor of Akwa Ibom State in the 2023 general election, Naija News understands.

The 9th National Assembly lawmaker said in a letter addressed to his ward chairman in Ibiono Ibom Eastern Ward 1 of Ibiono Ibom local government area of the State, that he resolved to withdraw from the PDP after consulting God, friends and families and his colleagues in the political affairs.

He reiterated his intention to contest for the Akwa-Ibom State governorship office but on the platform of another unnamed political party.

Naija News understands that PDP in Akwa Ibom had during its state primary election, elected Pastor Umo Eno as its standard flag-bearer for the gubernatorial elections.

The development is understood to have unsettled Akpan, hence the desire to further his ambition in another camp.

The senator’s resignation letter reads; “It is with the greatest sense of responsibility, purpose, and love for my people that I make bold this communication.

“I have been a loyal and committed member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for over 20 years and have through the platform of the party serve our people, state, and nation diligently without any blemish, and I have by the grace of God contributed positively and impactfully to the growth and development of our dear country, state, and our people in general.

“I believe as a lawmaker and a distinctive one at that must at all times advocate and pursue virtues and values that promote and sustain the effective adherence to the rule of law.

“As you are aware, my aspiration to serve our dear state in the office of the Executive Governor is not personal or selfish but rather the collective ambition of our people, based on the principles of justice and equity, to achieve a better and prosperous Akwa Ibom State.

“In the words of Jean Anouilh and I quote ‘The only immorality is not to do what one has to do when one has to do it.’

“Therefore, after extensive consultation with my God, family, friends, supporters, and well-meaning believers in a just and equitable Akwa Ibom State across the world, it’s obvious that these collective yearnings and aspirations cannot be actualised under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“Consequently, guided by the sentiments, concerns and worries of our people so expressed on the need to take immediate steps for the actualisation of their aspirations. I am therefore compelled to resign my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) forthwith.”