DIG Udom Ekpoudom in a handshake with Senator Godswill Akpabio, after a meeting on Monday 6th February.
A retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Udom Ekpoudom, who challenged the nomination of Senator Godswill Akpabio, as candidate of the APC for Akwa Ibom North West senatorial district in the 2023 election has accepted to work for all candidates of the APC.
DIG Ekpoudom made the declaration after a closed-door meeting with Senator Akpabio in his residence in Uyo on Monday 6th February.
The retired police chief said he will campaign for the success of Senator Akpabio; Mr Akan Udofia, governorship candidate of the APC in Akwa Ibom State; Senator Bola Tinubu, APC presidential candidate.
Journalists who were present at the meeting quoted Ekpoudom to have said, ‘I remain a bonafide member of the APC, contrary to insinuations that I had decamped or was planning to decamp to the opposition party. I am going no where. I will campaign for the victory of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senator Godswill Akpabio, Akan Udofia and all other members of the party.’
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‘Something happened that I didn’t understand but he has explained it to me today. We have sorted it out. I am supporting Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, himself as my Senator, Akan Udofia as governor and all other candidates of our party. I will not deviate from the principles of the party.’
The former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Akpabio was confirmed by the Supreme Court as candidate for the Akwa Ibom North West senatorial district.
Ekpoudom’s open declaration of support for Akpabio, Udofia, Tinubu and other candidates of the APC has ended months of speculations that he was contemplating dumping the ruling party.
Ekpoudom noted that his relationship with Akpabio predated his entry into politics and whatever happened between him the former governor of the state was a break in communication and he was satisfied with his explanation.
Speaking to newsmen on why he visited the former police chief, Senator Akpabio said, “I am here today, because immediately after the Supreme Court judgment that declared me the candidate, I made a decision that his house would be the first private residence I will visit and that is why I am here.
‘He is not just an elder brother to me, but he happens to be a brother from the same kindred whom I am always pleased with. In what I may regard then as a factional disagreement in the APC, we ended up in court not because we’re quarrelling’, he noted
‘Even before the Supreme Court judgment, we have been trying to make peace but we both agreed that we allow the court to decide after which we would work together for the success of our party. He remains my brother. He is a man who does not forget small favours.’
‘He believes in transformation and development. He is not selfish. It is not a relationship that is borne out of politics but of mutual respects and we will not allow politics to divide us. Today we are together supporting the same candidates, Tinubu as our president, myself as the Senator, Akan Udofia as governor and others’ Akpabio stressed.
