Senate President Godswill Akpabio has said his decision to leave the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) was one of the most important political decisions of his career, describing his former party as the “wrong party” for his political aspirations.
Speaking during a public event, Akpabio said he found his true political home after joining the APC, insisting that the ruling party’s progressive ideology aligns more closely with his vision for governance and national development.
“I was in the wrong party called the PDP,” the Senate President said, adding that his move to the APC enabled him to pursue his political goals alongside leaders who share similar ideals and a common commitment to advancing Nigeria’s development.
Akpabio, who previously served as Governor of Akwa Ibom State under the PDP before defecting to the APC in 2018, has remained one of the ruling party’s most prominent figures. His defection marked a significant shift in the political landscape ahead of the 2019 general elections and strengthened the APC’s influence in the South-South region.
Since joining the APC, Akpabio has served as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and was later elected President of the Senate following the 2023 general elections.
His latest remarks are expected to reignite political debate, particularly within the PDP, as parties continue positioning themselves ahead of future electoral contests.
The comments also come amid ongoing realignments across Nigeria’s political landscape, with defections and shifting alliances continuing to reshape the country’s major political parties.
