Akpabio: PDP will capture 29 states in 2015

Godswill Akpabio, governor of Akwa Ibom state, says the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would win 29 states at the election.

The party presently controls 21 of the 36 states in the country.

Speaking at Eagle Square, Abuja, on Tuesday during the second-term declaration of President Goodluck Jonathan, Akpabio said the opposition party had nothing to offer Nigerians.

He admitted that “the journey to 2015 would not be smooth”, but he assured the president of the support of PDP governors.

Akpabio, who is the chairman of the PDP governors’ forum, said Jonathan has transformed virtually all the sectors of the country.

“We, the chief commanders of various states, are here on this day that you decided to heed the call of all Nigerians to continue the good works that you have been doing,” he said.

“We were the first set in the country to notice your transformation efforts across the country. We have taken congnisance of the revolution in the power sector. The good roads you have built all over the country. The wonders that you are doing in the railway sector. The support you have given to our farmers, making sure that agriculture has become a good business in Nigeria.

“As field commanders, we would work very hard to ensure that come 2015, the PDP presence in government houses in Nigeria will not be less than 29.”

Akpabio accused the opposition of sponsoring insurgency, asking the president not to be intimidated.

“Do not be intimidated. You are like David in the Bible; you are fighting all the wars today so that future presidents can have peace. Do not be intimidated because we are behind you,” he said.

“We are against terror. We are against enemies of progress. We are against propaganda and blackmail. The opposition has no plans for Nigeria. Many of them are fighting a selfish war.

“Many of them are the ones sponsoring this evil in the country. So we cannot hand over the federal government of Nigeria to enemies of progress. We would go with you because we cannot hand over Nigeria to those who are destabilising us.”

Earlier, Olabode George, a former vice-chairman of the PDP in the south west, described Jonathan’s declaration as divine, saying it was no coincidence that the declaration was happening on the anniversary of Armistice Day when the World War 1 ended.