2019: “Why I Dumped Sen.Akpabio for Udom” – Akpabio’s Brother
The camp of former governor of Akwa Ibom state and immediate past Senate minority leader yesterday suffered a heavy blow as his brother Prince Ukpong Akpabio, and over twenty thousand of his kinsmen dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) and switched allegiance to the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Igbere TV reports.
Less than three months after Akpabio’s defection from the PDP to APC, signs of disintegration of his once solid empire in his home town, Essien Udim has begun with his younger brother, Prince Ukpong Akpabio leading the onslaught.
Ubong Akpabio
Speaking to Igbere Tv on the reason for his defection , Prince Ukpong Akpabio, a close confidant and ally of Senator Akpabio, explained that it was former Governor Godswill Akpabio that brought Governor Udom Emmanuel and told Essien Udim people to support his aspiration for eight years, reiterating the resolve of Essien Udim people to always stand with Udom till 2023.
Ukpong Akpabio had served as an aide to the former Governor since his days as a Commissioner and served as Special Assistant, Special Assistant on General Duties from 2007-2015.
The defection which is believed to have rattled the former governor has crippled the APC in the area and weakened his support base as well as grip of power in Essien Udim local government and Ikot Ekpene federal constituency.
