The Akwa Ibom Speaker who disclosed that he would rather quit politics than defect to the APC during a solidarity rally for the State Governor, Udom Emmanuel and Senator from the state, Bassey Albert in Uyo, the state capital, added that Akpabio’s action was borne out of personal interest.
Luke who insisted that the defection was aimed at grabbing and sharing power, said;
“They said the President had sent words for me to become the deputy governor. They offered me N2bn, but I said no. If you like, offer me N10bn, mine is no.
“They have no plan for us and no plans for the future of our state. It was all about them. It was only about power grabbing and power-sharing, but by God’s amazing grace, we will overcome them.”
This is coming few hours after the elders in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom, described the former governor of the state, Godswill Akpabio, as a huge financial burden to the state government. The elders under the aegis of Akwa Ibom Elders Vanguard said Akpabio’s excessive demands from Governor Udom Emmanuel’s administration had ended with his exit from the party.
Addressing journalists in Uyo, the leader of the group, Senator Anietie Okon, said Akpabio’s defection would allow Governor Udom to focus on the development of the state with steady financial resources instead of distraction from the ex-governor.
The elders, who were accompanied by Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, Obong Bassey Inuaeyen, Hon. Ndueson Essien Dr. Emmanuel Ukpong among others, also accused Akpabio of hypocrisy by making negative comments against Governor Udom.
