Twenty-two governorship aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State on Thursday alleged that the state Governor, Obong Godswill Akpabio, bribed 1,200 delegates with N1 million each during the governorship primaries in the state.
This is just as the 22 governors, popularly known as G-22, all senators representing Akwa Ibom State, six members of the House of Representatives in National Assembly and 14 members of state House of Assembly threatened to dump the party and work for the opposition in the next general election if the national leadership of the PDP fails to address their petitions.
The group gave the national leadership of the PDP till January 11 to resolve the crisis rocking the party in the state or lose all political bigwigs in Akwa Ibom State.
Briefing newsmen, the immediate past Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Nsima Ekere, accused Akpabio of abandoning democratic principles by selecting three senators, 10 members of the House of Representatives and 22 members of the House of Assembly for the next elections.
Ekere said that the aspirants had been pushed to the wall by the attitude of the national leadership of the party on their petitions, adding that the state needs rescue from the dynasty of Akpabio.
According to him, the entire membership of the PDP in Akwa Ibom State is looking forward to the national leadership of the party to address their petitions.
The three senators from the state are in solidarity with the G-22.
So also are six out of the nine PDP members in the House of Representatives and 14 members of House of Assembly with the G-22.
Also speaking, Senator Helen Esuene said: “If we are pushed to the wall, we don’t have any option than to go where we are needed.”
