TheCable

The Akwa Ibom Good Governance Initiative, a socio-political group, has accused Godswill Akpabio, a former governor of the state, of undermining the will of Akwa Ibom people to democratically decide who becomes governor of the state in 2019.

The group in a statement signed by Victor Aniema, its national co-ordinator, said a recent statement credited to Akpabio where he allegedly boasted that he single-handedly made Udom Emmanuel governor of Akwa Ibom is a slap on the face of the people of the state and it will not be condoned.

“We have been observing the utterance of Senator Godswill Akpabio. Recently he boasted to the world that he, Akpabio is Akwa Ibom and he alone decides who becomes governor,” he said.

“He has persistently insisted that he single-handedly brought Udom and made him governor. From a simple interpretation, what Akpabio is saying is that in 2013 when Akwa Ibom people go to the poll to vote, their choice would be inconsequential. We see this as a direct affront on our people who trooped out in mass to elect Udom as their governor.

“The 2019 gubernatorial election ise fast approaching and the people of Akwa Ibom have decided who they are going to vote for. Nigeria operates on democracy and each man has the right to vote their preferred candidate.”