Former NDDC Minister, Senator Godswill Akpabio is not having a good time in his quest to retain his political relevance.
The politician who was amog the APC candidates that dropped their presidential ambition for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is making some last minute efforts to beg for forgiveness and reconcile with his former inner circle of aggrieved aides and political associates , a move that is not yielding any positive result .
According to a report monitored on veracitydesk.com.ng , Akpabio and his wife Uloma as early as 6am some days ago accompanied by Barr Patrick Umoh and others, went from house to house to beg his former allies who have all deserted him, asking for forgiveness and pleading with them with a request to convince DIG Udom Ekpoudom, the lawful winner of the APC Senatorial primary for Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District to withdraw and give him the ticket.
“Tell him to name his price. Please, I know we erred but please don’t disgrace and abandon my husband. He is still your brother. We need your help”, Uloma Akpabio was alleged to have pleaded with one of her ex husband’s close ally.
Investigation revealed that the former Minister’s delegation also visited a former two term Chairman of Essien Udim LGA and member representing Essien Udim State Constituency, Rt Hon Nse Ntuen. They also visited the private residence of his former Chief of Staff, Chief Godwin Afangideh and DIG Udom Ekpoudom’s residence.
But whether by coincidence or fate, none of them were at home to meet with the Akpabios as only their wives were available to receive the team.
“The “diplomatic moves did not bear the envisaged results. I think all Akpabio’s former allies he visited deliberately made themselves unavailable and tactically made sure it was their wives that welcomed Uloma Akpabio”.
“But you can’t blame them. When he was Minister and had NDDC in his pocket he abandoned them and ate alone. Is it now that he is left in the cold and Umana Umana is about taking over from him that he will be useful to them?”
“Don’t forget, these are the foot soldiers that made him what he was and he betrayed them when they needed him. Now they have decided to pitch their tent with Ekpoudom, Udoedeghe and Umana Umana and you can’t blame them”, said a source.
The Akpabio delegation were reported to have even joined DIG Udom Ekpoudom’s wife for praise and worship when they visited the ex police Chief’s house.
Some former allies of the embattled Minister who spoke to our reporter said, it is too late for any reconciliation with Akpabio, in view of the fact that he (Akpabio) is not even sincere with the latest reconciliatory moves.
“Akpabio can’t change so he can’t fool us again. We’ve worked with him for years and we know him very well. He used us and dumped us once he became Minister. Now he wants to use us again to get leverage and use us as bargaining chip for appointment again. It can’t work this time around. He remains our big brother but as far as 2023 is concerned, our mind is made up because they cannot be any true reconciliation without repentance”, a former member of Akpabio’s inner circle declared.
