In a surprising move, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has publicly denied ever being a member of the Peoples Democratic Party. This statement was made during a plenary session last Tuesday in response to a motion honouring the late former governor of Kogi State, Ibrahim Idris. The motion, sponsored by Senator Jibrin Isah, recalled Idris's contributions as a PDP member and inadvertently drew Akpabio's ire.
Senator Jibrin Isah had described Ibrahim Idris as the longest-serving governor in Kogi State's history, having governed from May 29, 2003, to January 27, 2012. Isah's remarks prompted Akpabio to interrupt and correct him, stating that he had never been a member of the PDP. Akpabio claimed his "spirit" might have been with the party, but his "heart" was always with progressive politics.
However, Akpabio's denial has sparked controversy given his extensive political history with the PDP. He served as a commissioner under a PDP-led administration in Akwa Ibom State and later became the state's governor from 2007 to 2015. During his tenure as governor, Akpabio chaired the PDP Governors' Forum. He was also elected to the senate in 2015 on the PDP platform and served as Senate Minority Leader from 2015 to 2018.
Akpabio's defection from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress in 2018 marked a significant shift in his political career. Since then, he has been vocal about his new party affiliation, seemingly distancing himself from his PDP past. Critics argue that Akpabio's denial of his PDP membership is an attempt to erase his political history and align himself more closely with his current party.
The incident has sparked a wider debate about the nature of Nigerian politics, with many highlighting the prevalence of opportunism and the perceived lack of honour and principle among politicians. Akpabio's actions have been seen by some as a reflection of this broader issue, where politicians are willing to change their affiliations and deny past associations for political gain.
In response to Akpabio's comments, observers have noted that celebrating and identifying with the people and platforms that contributed to one's political success is essential for demonstrating honour and integrity. Akpabio's decision to deny his PDP membership has raised questions about his commitment to these values and the implications for his future political career.
As the controversy surrounding Akpabio's denial continues, it remains to be seen how this will impact his relationships with his current party and his constituents. The incident has also sparked discussions about the importance of accountability and transparency in Nigerian politics, with many calling for greater scrutiny of politicians' actions and affiliations.
Key points
- Akpabio's denial of his PDP membership has sparked controversy given his extensive political history with the party.
- The incident has sparked a wider debate about the nature of Nigerian politics and the prevalence of opportunism among politicians.
- Critics argue that Akpabio's actions reflect a broader issue in Nigerian politics, where politicians prioritize personal gain over honour and principle.
