A former Minister of Petroleum Chief Don Etiebet has advised the immediate past Niger Delta Affairs Minister, Senator Godswill Akpabio to withdraw from the Senate race or face defeat at the polls next year.

Etiebet, who gave the advice at the weekend while speaking with journalists, predicted that the defeat that awaits Akpabio will be more disgraceful than the one he suffered in 2019.

The All Progressives Congress(APC) stalwart said it was the turn of Abak 5 federal constituency not Ikot Ekpene federal, where Akpabio hails from, to occupy the Akwa Ibom North West senatorial district seat.

He asked Akpabio to tow the path of honour by stepping down from the senatorial race for DIG Udom Ekpoudom (Retd) to fly the APC Senatorial flag for Akwa Ibom North West in next year’s election.

“Since 1960, Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency has gone to Senate three times- Akaninyene Ukpanah, Donald Etiebet and Bob Ekarika whereas Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency has gone five times – with Akpabio’s family twice in Nsima Akpabio and Godswill Akpabio whereas Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency has not gone even once.”

“The four Federal Constituencies of Ukanafun/Oruk Anam, Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara, Ini/Ikono, Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika, make up Akwa Ibom North West (Ikot Ekpene) Senatorial District and it is the considered opinion of all peace-loving people of Annang land that “Brother dey chop, brother no chop” is not good.”

“And that this time around the Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency which has not gone to the senate since 1960 should be given the ticket,’ he said.

Etiebet argued that even the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) has agreed that Abak 5 should produce the next senator for the district.

“In the PDP Senator Christopher Ekpenyong from Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency has stepped down for Emmanuel Enoidem from Etim Ekpo and Abak Federal Constituency.

“It is therefore natural justice that Godswill Akpabio who has even gone to the Senate once should step down for DIG Ekpoudom (Retd),” he stressed. (The Nation)

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