President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has hailed the decision of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in Akwa Ibom state to collapse its structure into the All Progressives Congress (APC).


This followed the defection of the YPP governorship candidate in the 2023 election, Senator Bassey Akpan, the state chairman of the party, Nyeneime Andy and other defectors to the APC.

Akpabio, who received the defectors at his Ukana, Essien Udim country home yesterday, said the development was quite spectacular because it was not an election year.

They said the collapse of the YPP structure in the state into APC was in recognition and appreciation of President Bola Tinubu’s efforts in repositioning the country.

Akpabio said: “Thank you for recognizing the steps taken by the President, Bola Tinubu to reposition Nigeria and transform it for the better.

“I thank God that what the President is doing to salvage Nigeria is recognized 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 a 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 are no general elections in view. This is an uncommon move.”

Speaking, Akpan explained that his decision to collapse his party structure to the APC has nothing to do with any intention to contest the election in 2027.

He said: “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 in delivering 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.” (TheNation)
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