Elders of the All Progressive Congress (APC) under the auspices of the Ibom Integrity and Servant Leadership Culture Initiative (IISLCI) have advised President Muhammadu Buhari to consider nominating former governor of Akwa Ibom state, Godswill Akpabio, in the next ministerial list.
Vanguard reports that Asuquo Edidem Etim, executive vice president of the group, noted that appointing Akpabio as minister could hurt President Buhari’s ‘Next Level’ agenda and create instability in Akwa Ibom state.
In a letter to the President, Etim’s the group said it was making this known to the President because it believes in his administration.
The group urged Buhari to pick his cabinet in a manner that would ensure that they do not become liabilities to the government or dent his impeccable image.
“Characters with known corruption allegations or propensity for pettiness, mischief, treachery, profligacy and vendetta, should be avoided.
“The same Senator Akpabio that in years past had been your and our party’s nemesis cannot suddenly become the gadfly of your political generosity.
“So, we implore you, our dear leader, to be circumspect in considering him as minister in your government, so as not to appear insensitive to the people and counterproductive security wise, in the state, by allowing him acquire a fresh political power from the back door of ministerial appointment, which we fear he may use with vengeance against us, his people and the state,” the group said.
Meanwhile, the Akwa Ibom state working committee of the APC has said it is not part of the call against the nomination of Akpabio.
In a statement by Nkereuwem Enyongekere, the publicity secretary of the APC, the party said it observed the development with utter dismay while calling the group faceless.
The party wondered how the group would arrogate to itself the power of condemnation and recommendation of prospective appointees.