By Ogenyi Ogenyi,Uyo
Governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in Akwa Ibom in the 2023 general elections Senator Bassey Akpan has said that the party collapsed it’s structure for the All Progressive Congress,APC, to make the party stronger in the state.
He has also said the move has nothing to do with his interest in the 2027 governorship election in the state.
Akpan stated this when he led the state chairman of YPP, Mr Nyenime Andy and other stakeholders of the party to join the APC at the residence of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio at Ukana, Essien Udim Local Council of Akwa Ibom last weekend.
“We have come to submit totally to your leadership, we have come to submit to the leadership of Mr President, whenever you call us, we like the ‘boys scouts’ will always be prepared.
“We have come to support you to deliver Akwa Ibom to APC because we believe that the new APC in Akwa Ibom will be 10 times stronger, with the merger of YPP.
“We came as YPP family to join the Senate President to promote unity in Akwa Ibom State and we assure you and the President that you have Akwa Ibom in your hands.
“I am the son that was sent out and I have come back with many sons. Your territory and coast is expanded more than can be imagined. I am optimistic that APC will take over power in Akwa Ibom come 2027.
“I am not here to contest any election but to support you to deliver Akwa Ibom to APC.” Akpan said.
Receiving the YPP governorship candidate and his supporters, Akpabio, described as uncommon, the decision by Akpan to collapse its structure to APC even when there was no general elections in view.
The Senate President expressed appreciation to the YPP family in the state for recognising the efforts of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in repositioning and transforming the country for the better even when they are of the opposition.
“Thank you for recognising the steps taken by the President Bola Tinubu to reposition Nigeria and transform it to the better.
“I thank God that what the President is doing to salvage Nigeria is recognised even by the opposition parties.
“Elections are over and we are in full governance. If the country can see good governance in what the President is doing and the Senate President, who has brought all the senators across party lines to work together as one; there is need to join us.
“What the YPP is doing today is very interesting because their decision to join the ruling party is coming when there is no general elections in view. ‘This is an uncommon move.” Akpabio said.
He thereafter received the YPP flag bearer in the last election, Akpan, his deputy, Amba, the party chairman, Andy and handed them over to the State Chairman of the APC, Mr. Stephen Ntukekpo for onward presentation to the National chairman.
Akparawa Ephraim Inyang-eyen, who was the Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District candidate for the YPP described the Senate President as the authentic leader of Akwa Ibom State.
Inyang-Eyen said the action taken by the YPP family was a call of destiny that needed necessary adjustments for the growth of the state and development of the country at large.
He thanked President Tinubu for giving the South -South region of the country another chance at the Senate Presidency, after Sen. Joseph Wayas, who led the Senate between 1979-1983.
“That an Akwa Ibom son has become the Senate President, we are not taking it for granted, we are determined to stand by you and support you to succeed as the 10th Senate President and that you will support the President to turn around the economy of Nigeria.
“We are satisfied with the economic policies of the President that would ultimately lead Nigeria to economic recovery, restore security of lives and properties in the country.” He said.
