This was as the leadership of the party, which pulled a huge upset in the state during the 2023 general election, demonstrated its solidarity with the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
Its governorship candidate in the 2023 elections, Senator Bassey Albert, the deputy, AIG Asuquo Amba (rtd), the state executive, led by the chairman, Mr Nyeneime Andy, its Elders’ Council, chapter and ward officers and the entire executive council of the Akwa Ubok Abasi Campaign Organisation paid a visit to Akpabio, at his country home in Ukana, Essien Udim Local Government Area, on Friday.
YPP which came into existence less than one year into the 2023 elections and was seen as the fastest growing party in the state, also declared their support for President Bola Tinubu.
According to results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), YPP scored the second highest number of valid votes cast in the governorship election, won two seats in the House of Assembly and one in the House of Representatives.
The Eket senatorial candidate of the YPP in the election, Mr Ephraim Inyang-Eyen, presented the position of the party during the solidarity visit to Akpabio, saying members unanimously agreed to join the APC.
“We have come to tell you that the time has come for us to make necessary adjustments for the growth of Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria. We have come with a message of solidarity to you.
“The last time a person from the South-South zone occupied the position of the Senate President was about 44 years ago. We are determined to stand by you and support you.
“We are satisfied with the economic policy of President Bola Tinubu. We are determined to stand by you and strengthen your hand so that you can achieve more.
“We have come wholeheartedly to pledge our solidarity. We have come to make fundamental commitment.
“After the Supreme Court judgment, we came to a decision and the right decision was that we should support the APC.
“We have come with the totality of the YPP family in solidarity. This solidarity is not words of mouth, it is total.
“Today, YPP in Akwa Ibom State has become APC. We have come to submit that you lead us,” he said.
Inyang-Eyen was Commissioner for Works, and Chief of Staff to the immediate past governor of Akwa Ibom State.
The state chairman of YPP, Mr Nyeneime Andy, said members of the party were pleased with the policies of the Tinubu administration.
Andy said, after the rerun election in Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency and Ibiono Ibom State Constituency, YPP candidates in the two legislative houses would officially defect to the APC.
“Politics is like a football match, you should know that there will always be a time for transfers. So this is time for transfer.
“The YPP is very happy and pleased with the way President Bola Tinubu is running the affairs of the country. That is why our party members said we should take them to APC,” he said.
Speaking, YPP governorship candidate in the 2023 elections, Senator Bassey Albert, said the party joined the APC to support President Tinubu and joined hands with the Senate President to ensure that Akwa Ibom was not divided.
“I am a son you sent out and I have come with a lot of sons. I aspired because I knew that the Akwa Ibom State you built is not the Akwa Ibom we have today. I saw my aspiration as an opportunity to restore the lost glory of Akwa Ibom State.
“We are here to join hands with you (Senate President) to ensure that Akwa Ibom State is not divided. We have come to submit totally to your leadership.
“We believe and feel strongly that we safer in APC. After the rerun our members in the House of Representatives and House of Assembly will join us here,” he said.
Senator Albert emphasised that he is not leaving YPP for APC to seek election. “I am not here to contest any election but to support you to deliver Akwa Ibom State to APC,” he said.
Responding, the Senate President acknowledged the growth of the YPP and the capacity it demonstrated during the 2023 governorship election.
He lauded the YPP leadership for coming out openly to commend Tinubu’s style of administration, policies and programmes which he said were aimed at improving the wellbeing of Nigerians.
“From nothing, you built a recognised political structure in Akwa Ibom State that propelled you to somewhere.
“Thank you for openly acknowledging that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is leading the nation in the right direction. I tell people, if you can see good governance in Asiwaju, why don’t you join them.
“This is a very uncommon move. You are not joining us because there is an election tomorrow. You are joining us because you have seen good governance,” Akpabio said, assuring that the APC will provide equal opportunity to all.
The Akwa Ibom YPP structure was received by the state chairman of the APC, Mr Stephen Ntukekpo, on the mandate of the national chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje.
Ntukekpo directed APC members, on the mandate of Ganduje, to vote for the two candidates of the YPP during the rerun election in Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency and Ibiono Ibom State Constituency, scheduled for next month.
