Supporter Accuses Akpabio of Ignoring Loyal Members in Politics

A former State Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State, Otoabasi Udo, has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of ignoring loyal supporters despite their sacrifices and help in his political journey.

Mr Udo, a lawyer who served as the party’s state publicity secretary from 2021 until March 2026, made these claims in an open letter to Mr Akpabio on Monday.

The letter, titled “Why Am I Forgotten & Forsaken? An Appeal for Reward & Recognition,” was sent to Mr Akpabio in his role as Senate President and chairman of the National Assembly.

Mr Udo said he wrote the open letter because his attempts to contact the Senate president through aides were unsuccessful.

This situation comes months after PREMIUM TIMES reported that Patty Etete, a former House of Representatives member, also wrote an open letter to the Senate president. She expressed her discontent over how she was treated before leaving the APC.

Unlike Mr Etete, Mr Udo’s letter does not mention resigning from the party. Instead, it highlights what he calls years of sacrifice without proper recognition or reward.

Mr Udo explained that he joined Mr Akpabio in switching from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC when the party was still in opposition in Akwa Ibom.

He later became the Abak chapter coordinator of the Akwa Ibom Democratic Forum (ADF). He stated that this political platform helped build the APC structure in the state.

According to him, supporters of Mr Akpabio faced political persecution because of the senator's opposition to the state’s ruling political group.

Mr Udo said his support for Mr Akpabio made him a target. He claimed some articles he wrote in support of the senator raised security issues for him and his family.

“Serving you and bearing the cross was selfless, borne out of love, loyalty and conviction to you and what you stand for,” he wrote.

Mr Udo alleged that he funded the ADF chapter’s activities for over four years and later spent his own money running the APC publicity office.

He claimed to have sent a financial requirement roadmap to key party members but received no financial support during his time.

He said he wrote more than 100 articles defending Mr Akpabio and issued over 150 press releases for the APC.

He also said he appeared on more than 30 radio and television shows on behalf of Mr Akpabio and the party.

Mr Udo alleged he had to pay for his transport and other costs for those engagements.

He stated that his political activities became so risky that he and his family had to move temporarily for safety.

Mr Udo said his worries deepened after he was left out of a recent meeting of “critical stakeholders” in the Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District.

He said each local government area was to nominate 20 stakeholders, but his name was missing among those picked from Abak.

He questioned why he was not included despite being the state publicity secretary and having long been involved in Mr Akpabio’s political activities.

Mr Udo also expressed concerns about changes in the APC’s political structure in Akwa Ibom after Governor Umo Eno joined the party.

He said he and about 30 other members of the former 37-member state executive were removed from the party structure when new members took their positions.

According to him, those who stood by the APC during its opposition phase have now been sidelined.

Mr Udo claimed that over 700 appointments had been made from Mr Akpabio’s office, yet he had not received any appointment or empowerment.

He served on Mr Akpabio’s 2023 senatorial campaign Central Working Committee and helped in efforts that led to the senator’s win in Ikot Ekpene.

He pointed out the 19,627 votes Mr Akpabio got in Abak Local Government Area, which was second only to the result from Essien Udim Local Government Area.

Mr Udo asked why his contributions did not lead to an appointment, empowerment, or any real recognition.

He said this situation left him questioning the party’s reward system.

In response to a media inquiry by PREMIUM TIMES, Mr Akpabio’s Special Adviser on Media, Eseme Eyiboh, said the Senate president’s office knew about Mr Udo’s concerns but would not discuss what he called an internal party issue through the media.

“There are established channels for party members to communicate their concerns to the appropriate leaders,” Mr Eyiboh said, advising Mr Udo to use those channels.

Mr Eyiboh stated that the senator did not intend to undermine Mr Udo’s service or that of others who supported Mr Akpabio and the APC over the years.

He rejected the view that political service guarantees public appointments or personal benefits.

Mr Eyiboh insisted that political involvement should be based on commitment, public service, and belief in the party’s ideals rather than expecting personal rewards.

“Politics cannot be reduced to a transactional deal where every contribution leads to a demand for public office,” he said.

He pointed to the 2023 presidential election, saying millions of Nigerians helped President Bola Tinubu’s campaign. But it wouldn’t be right for every supporter to demand an appointment.

Mr Eyiboh said public appointments are limited and depend on factors like competence and public interest.

Regarding Mr Udo’s exclusion from the stakeholders meeting, Mr Eyiboh dismissed the idea that Mr Akpabio decides who gets invited to APC meetings.

He said the party has structures at different levels, and meetings are organized by the relevant party authorities.

“The non-invitation of any individual to a meeting should not be seen as personal to Senator Akpabio or as evidence of exclusion,” he said.

Mr Eyiboh added that having held a former party office does not guarantee a right to attend every future stakeholders’ meeting.

He said the senator’s office acknowledged Mr Udo’s account of his articles, press releases, and broadcasts in support of Mr Akpabio and the APC.

He stated that there is no reason to undermine the genuine efforts made for the party.

But he said voluntary political support cannot be turned into a debt or obligation for an appointment or reward.

This would only be different if specific activities were commissioned by Mr Akpabio or the party on agreed terms.

Mr Eyiboh also disagreed with the idea that appointments available to APC members in Akwa Ibom were solely made by Mr Akpabio.

He noted that Nigeria’s constitutional system gives appointment powers to different authorities.

He said public appointments are not rewards that party members earn due to their loyalty or campaign efforts.

Mr Eyiboh said Mr Akpabio “values loyalty” and appreciates those who stood by him and the APC in tough times.

He added, “Disappointment is understandable; entitlement is a different thing.

“But neither he nor any party member should feel wronged just because political support has not resulted in a specific appointment or benefit.

“Political participation is service, not a business deal; public office is a trust, not something you get for being loyal.”

Mr Udo said he chose to make his concerns public after failing to reach Mr Akpabio through his aides.

He called the letter a “last resort” and urged the Senate president to rethink how he treats those who supported him when he was building his political base.

He mentioned that he would share more about his contributions to Mr Akpabio and the APC in future installments.