2019 Presidency: Akpabio Speaks
Former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godwill Akpabio has finally spoken out concerning rumours constantly linking him to a shot at Aso Rock in 2019.
Akpabio who arrived the Senate immediately after serving as governor of Akwa Ibom State for eight years has emerged as one of the most powerful opposition forces in the country. His emergence as Senate Minority Leader has seemingly cemented his frontline role in the PDP as the former ruling party battles to regain power in a perceived testy general election in 2019 that might likely go down to the wire.
According to a press statement signed by Akpabio’s media aide and made available to NEWS LINK, the Senator debunked claims that he is eyeing President Muhammadu Buhari’s job.
“The attention of the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio has been drawn to publications in the social media about his purported posters campaigning for the Presidency in 2019.
“We wish to state categorically that Senator Akpabio has no ambition of contesting for the Presidency in 2019 and is not behind such campaigns. It is the handiwork of political jobbers and mischief makers”, the statement said,
Continuing, it read: “It is instructive that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which he belongs to has zoned the Presidency to the North by 2019 and Senator Akpabio as a loyal member of the party stands by that decision.
“Also stakeholders from Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District, which Chief Akpabio represents have at various fora expressed their desire to return the Senator to the Red Chambers for a second term and are working assiduously towards that.
“We implore well meaning Nigerians to ignore these publications as they do not emanate from nor have the blessing of Senator Akpabio. The mischief-makers should desist from actions that tend to heat the polity.
“Senator Akpabio as the Senate Minority Leader is presently concerned with working with other law makers to enact legislation that will improve the lives and living standard of Nigerians. He should not be distracted by a phantom campaign”.
Recently, there were claims by a section of the media that Senate Minority Leader and ex Akwa Ibom governor, Senator Godswill Akpabio is being wooed by his party for the Vice- Presidential slot in 2019.
It has also been reported that some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are reportedly mounting pressure on ex-President Goodluck Jonathan to shelve his alleged ambition to contest the 2019 presidential election.
It was learnt that the leaders’ advisory was subtly relayed to the ex-President through his supporters who were trying to gauge the opinions of PDP members on the issue.
According to party sources, since it is likely that the presidential ticket might be ceded to someone from the north, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, Senate Minority Leader Godswill Akpabio, and some governors are being considered as presidential running mate.
“Certainly, the PDP will pick its running mate from either the South-East or the South-South.
“Our search team said it is impossible for the party to look forward to the South-West because of the grip of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the ongoing consolidation in the zone by APC”, a party source told our reporter.
