I Was in the Wrong Party, PDP Was Not My Political Home – Akpabio

Senate President Godswill Akpabio says he was in the wrong party during his years in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), insisting that he found his political home after defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Akpabio made the statement on Friday during the inauguration of access roads leading to the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates in the Karsana District of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as part of activities marking President Bola Tinubu's third anniversary in office.

Responding to comments made by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who described him as an "uncommon performer" during his time in the PDP, Akpabio asked members of the APC National Working Committee to disregard the remark, explaining that it referred to a period before the APC was established.

According to the Senate President, he had already spent more than seven years serving as governor of Akwa Ibom State before the APC was formed in 2014.

Explaining why he left the PDP, Akpabio said his political beliefs aligned more closely with progressive ideals and that he quickly realised the APC was the platform where he truly belonged.

The Senate President stated that a progressive-minded politician like himself naturally belonged in a progressive political family, adding that he recognised this after the APC emerged as a major political force.

Reiterating that Akpabio says he was in the wrong party, he noted that his decision to leave the PDP and join the APC was based on conviction rather than political convenience.

Akpabio also claimed that the PDP has become fragmented over the years and described Wike as the leader of what he called the "winning faction" within the opposition party.

While praising the FCT Minister's performance in office, Akpabio acknowledged Wike's influence within the PDP and commended his contributions to infrastructure development.

The Senate President further recalled a visit Wike made to Akwa Ibom State during his tenure as governor, saying the current FCT minister was impressed by one of the state's underground drainage projects and had predicted that he would perform exceptionally well if given the opportunity to govern Rivers State.

According to Akpabio, Wike eventually fulfilled that promise during his time as governor of Rivers State, adding jokingly that he once advised him not to surpass his own achievements in office.

He said infrastructure development has become part of Wike's political identity and remains one of the key reasons for his popularity.

Akpabio's comments come just days after he criticised the PDP during the inauguration of Akinwumi Ajibola Street in Abuja, where he expressed surprise that the opposition party was still in existence and suggested it should be allowed to fade away.