The former governor of Akwa Ibom state, Godswill Akpabio’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has many stunned since most politicians have been defecting from the latter to the former. With this unexpected move, many questions have been raised as to the reason behind his decision. It was reported that the ex-Governor met with President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo towards the rally to formally welcome him into the party. Here are 4 possible reasons behind Mr Akpabio’s defection which has taken the spotlight in Nigeria’s politics today, as many are referring to it as the transfer of the season.
- Consolatory victory for APC: Akpabio’s defection is coming at a time the ruling party has suffered severe loss, both at the national assembly and at the various states.
- Access into south-south for APC: Akpabio undoubtedly remains one of the key political figures in Akwa Ibom, and most likely the most prominent governor the state has had. Thus it is agreeable that a win for APC in the state in 2019 is will have a beneficial effect on the whole of the south-south region. The PDP currently holds sway in five of the six states in the south-south with only one state being controlled by the APC. Therefore, Securing Akwa-Ibom will have a huge impact on the PDP control in the region.
- To possibly move closer to gaining the office of Senate President in the near future
- Once a strong opponent of Buhari now an ally to possibly use his strong political experiences to aid APC in its ambition to succeed at the election.
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