Indications emerged on Friday that Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio; Governors Ben Ayade (Cross River), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) and Dave Umahi (Ebonyi) all of main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) soon.
According to reports reaching TheNewsGuru.com, APC have commenced talks with all the aforementioned parties.
Akpabio’s romance with Osinbajo, APC
Although the spokesperson to the Senate Minority Leader, Udom Jackson in a phone conversation with TheNewsGuru.com dispelled the defection allegation leveled on his principal, however, Akpabio’s recent romance with the APC is an open secret.
Just yesterday, the former Akwa Ibom state governor reportedly arrived the State House Villa by 3.06pm with Ita Enang, an aide to President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly (Senate).
Akpabio and Enang were said to have arrived Aso Rock for a meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo-barely an hour after President Muhammadu Buhari departed for Bauchi state on an official engagement.
TheNewsGuru.com learnt that the meeting between Akpabio and Osinbajo lasted for about two hours. Though details of the meeting were not known, it is believed that it could be related to Akpabio’s planned defection over his rift with the current governor of Akwa Ibom, Udom Emmanuel.
Coincidentally, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which Akpabio currently belongs, held its National Executive Council (NEC) on Thursday and he was conspicuously absent.
Senate President Bukola Saraki and other defectors from the APC attended the meeting.
Recall that the APC recently lost three governors – Sokoto, Kwara and Benue – as well as at least 36 members of the House of Representatives and 14 senators, including Senate President, Bukola Saraki.
Akpabio whose alleged defection moves to the APC is not new in the media space had constantly denied having such intentions.
Speaking at the senatorial district end of year get-together on January in Abak, Akpabio, categorically denied nursing any defection plans.
In his words: “So, all this rumour that Akpabio is going to APC is a mere rumour. The truth is that Akpabio is advising us to make our path straight. The moment we have done that, we are going to move in one direction.
Ayade
Governor Ayade’s alleged defection moves is also not fresh. Last week The Cross River State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) stormed the National Secretariat of APC in Abuja, amidst opposition from party staff, to protest against an alleged planned defection by the governor. Some members of staff of the party were said to have opposed the protest against the Cross River State governor from joining APC, as they claimed that no one protested against the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom for defecting from the party.
On Wednesday at a dinner/maiden edition of the MSMEs Award 2018 held at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja, Osinbajo who is reported to be at the front burner of APC talks with some of the South South, South East governors was seen in high spirits with the governor throughout the programme.
Meanwhile, a former governor of the state who spoke with TheNewsGuru.com said the defection moves were unconfirmed. “Its all rumours for now,” the former governor told TheNewsGuru.com.
Findings by TheNewsGuru.com further revealed that Governors Ugwuanyi and Ayade are no longer comfortable with the PDP following disagreements between them and the leadership of the party under Uche Secondus.
Also of note is the fact that Ayade is the only opposition governor in the South-South that has hosted Buhari twice on a state visit and was recently on the president’s entourage to the ECOWAS summit in Togo.
Ugwuanyi
Investigations by TheNewsGuru.com revealed that Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has been tactically shying away from PDP affairs as he perfects his exit. He’s also said to have a long-running battle with the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu over control of the party infrastructure in the state.
Umahi
For Governor Dave Umahi, his open affection towards President Muhammadu Buhari worries top PDP leaders in the state. Thus his alleged defection plans to the ruling party. Recall also that his predecessor and erstwhile boss, Martins Elechi has long defected to the APC.
More details as events unfold…