Senator Godswill Akpabio, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, will declare his intention to vie for office of Nigeria’s President in the 2023 general elections on Wednesday.
Akpabio who defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2018 will contest under the party.
Jackson Udom, Chief Press Secretary to the minister, who spoke with Straightnews publisher confirmed Akpabio’s declaration bid on Monday, May 2.
“Yes, it is true. He will declare on Wednesday. We had scheduled the date for Thursday but was rescheduled so that it does not clash with Mr. President Buhari’s visit to Ebonyi on Thursday,” Udom said.
Read also: 2023: Akpabio will Contest Nigeria’s Presidency- CPS confirms
”My boss will declare at Ikot Ekpene Stadium in Akwa Ibom at 11 a.m. We invite all to the uncommon declaration,’’ he added.
Akpabio, Akwa Ibom Governor from 2007-2015, was popularly known as ‘Uncommon transformer’ in different quarters owing to his life-changing projects in the state.
The Niger Delta Affairs Minister will square against Nigeria’s Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Bola Tinubu, former Lagos Governor; Rotimi Amaechi, Transportation Minister, and Yahaya Bello, Kogi Governor, among others for the ticket.
The ruling party is looking at having its presidential primary election between May 30 and June 1.
On Friday, Abdullahi Adamu, APC National Chairman, said the ruling party is yet to decide on the zone which will produce its 2023 presidential candidate.
“I am today privileged to be the chairman of the party. The party is greater than me. The party has not made a decision and I cannot preempt what the party decision will be,” the APC chairman had said.
“We will come out by the grace of God, at the appropriate time [with] the candidate the convention will choose. I do not want to speculate.
“My duty as chairman is to listen to party men, party leaders, stakeholders, to see what is going to be best when the time comes.”
