A former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Timi Frank, has criticized Senate President Godswill Akpabio, accusing him of being a serial betrayer.
Frank made the comments in reaction to Akpabio’s recent remarks at an event in Port Harcourt, where he accused Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara of betrayal against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Frank alleged that Akpabio and Wike share a history of betrayal, particularly against the Peoples Democratic Party. He dismissed Akpabio’s accusations against Fubara as unfounded, insisting that the Senate President lacks the moral authority to judge Fubara’s character. Frank encouraged Governor Fubara to remain focused and not be distracted by what he termed baseless allegations.
Frank outlined Akpabio’s political history, claiming it is riddled with acts of disloyalty, including his defection from the PDP to the APC while serving as Minority Leader in the 8th Senate. He also accused Akpabio of undermining Senate traditions during his tenure and turning the current Senate into an extension of the executive.
He did not spare Wike in his criticism, accusing the FCT minister of being instrumental in the PDP’s poor performance during the 2023 elections. Frank argued that Wike’s alliance with Akpabio highlights a mutual tendency toward political treachery.
Frank further praised Governor Fubara for standing firm in defending the interests of Rivers State, including his recent victory at the Appeal Court, which restored monthly allocations to the state. He urged the public to disregard Akpabio’s comments and focus on the pressing needs of Rivers State citizens.
The statement underscores ongoing tensions between political actors within and across party lines, highlighting deep-seated rivalries and accusations of betrayal shaping the political landscape in Rivers State and beyond.
He said, “The man who spoke is a known betrayer; the man who he was defending is a betrayer. So, a betrayer and treacherous character is most unqualified to tag a more decent and responsible man a betrayer.
“Akpabio has betrayal in his DNA, alongside Minister Wike. Both of them have castigated the APC in the past, only to turn around to wine, dine with and praise the same party. What should we call that? Is it not strange that Akpabio has suddenly become the mouthpiece of Wike, being birds of the same feather?
“Akpabio has proved overtime that he is a Pharisee who sees the speck in another’s eyes whereas he has a log in his. Who is the betrayer? A man who insists that the resources of Rivers State should be used for the benefit of its people and not to serve a godfather or a man who approved four budgets for the President that are running concurrently in 2024?
“Who is a betrayer? A man who is fighting to liberate Rivers State from Wike’s strangle-hold of oppression or a man who turned the 10th Senate into a rubber stamp and an extension of the executive?
“When Akpabio was elected to the Senate in 2015 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, he usurped the position of minority leader from Senator James Manager who was then the most ranking Senator from the South South against established Senate tradition despite being a rookie legislator.
“Akpabio betrayed the PDP when he defected to the APC even as minority leader in the 8th Senate. Besides, we don’t think Wike can complain of being betrayed because despite past antecedents, he is still very well in the game of betrayal by being a PDP minister in an APC administration.
“Wike betrayed PDP in cahoots with four other governors and the party lost massively in 2023. Since then, he has remained incurable by ensuring that all efforts by leaders of the party to put their acts together are frustrated.
“Akpabio hates Governor Fubara because he is not used to standing for his people, when they need him the most.
“Remain steadfast Governor Fubara as God will grant you victory over your political opponents and traducers just like your recent victory at the Appeal Court restoring monthly allocations to Rivers State. The end will justify the means at end of the day.
“We urge the public to disregard Akpabio’s baseless accusations against Governor Fubara and instead focus on the issues that matter most to the people of Rivers State.”
