Former Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio has taken a swipe at some political leaders in Akwa Ibom state, who play up the cards of tribalism and religion in the process of choosing credible leaders.
Since Akpabio defected on August 8 from Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to All Progressives Congress, APC, many political leaders have been engaging in campaign of calumny, attack on personalities, tribal politics and denominationalism to woo voters instead of selling their programmes to the populace.
‘’I want to tell religious leaders and political critics in the state who see those joining the APC as Anti-Christ to watch their utterances. You are the real Anti-Christ because no Christian leader, Pastor or Bishop would preach hatred instead of salvation,’’ Akpabio declared.
The Senator stated this Sunday when APC members from Itu local government area, led by a current member of the House of Assembly, Idongesit Ituen, paid him a courtesy visit in his Ukana countryhome, Essien Udim to formally inform him of their decision to dump PDP for the ruling party in the country.
He said rather than have anything against the PDP in the state, he would rather sympathise with them, noting that the Bible and Quran have one central theme: love.
The former governor remarked “I have nothing against the PDP in Akwa Ibom. In fact, I am at sympathy with them because a government that wants a second term should be campaigning on the basis of what they have done instead of abusing others on the other side.”
Akpabio reminded the people of the God factor in the emergence of leaders saying, “in 2015, we all had our choices, but God had His way, by bringing President Muhammadu Buhari. What does that tell us? That no matter what we do, 99 percent are of human effort and only one percent belongs to God and that is when you become successful.”
He, used the occasion to assure Buhari and APC leadership of the unprecedented support the people of the state have for his re-election and other candidates of the party in the state next year.
”Let me assure our dear president that over one million voters in Akwa Ibom State are anxious and patiently waiting to return him and other candidates of our great party into office with their votes in February next year. In fact, they want the election to be held next month.
‘’Those who are saying Akwa Ibom is PDP and PDP is Akwa Ibom, are living in their past because the train of victory had left the station while they were still in their bathrooms, “ he predicted.
