LESS than 24hours Godswill Akpabio, former Senate Minority Leader joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in an elaborate celebration held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, the Governor of the state has decided to rename the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Elendu Reports has learnt.
The stadium when officially announced by the State Government will be known as Akwa Ibom International Stadium.
The stadium was constructed when Akpabio was the Governor of the state and it is regarded as one of his best legacies for the state and Nigeria as it plays host to the nation’s senior team, the Super Eagles all home games.
The contract for the construction of the Akwa Ibom International Stadium complex and Games Village was awarded in 2012 to Julius Berger and was completed in 2014. The 30,000 seater ultra modern multipurpose sports complex was modeled after Allianz Arena.
Governor Udom Emmanuel renamed Akwa Ibom Stadium as Godswill Obot Akpabio International Stadium, immediately following his inauguration ceremony on May 29, 2015 in the stadium.
However, the Governor, a source confided in this newspaper has decided to rename the stadium again.
This newspaper has however not been independently verify this but the source claimed the state government would soon make its decision public.
The renaming of the stadium may have been as a result of Akpabio’s officially parting ways with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Wednesday at an elaborate celebration which drew thousands of supporters to the Ikot Ekpene stadium.
Udom, the current governor of Akwa Ibom is a former banker who was single handedly chosen by Akpabio as his successor. This led to a parting of ways with the likes of Chief Umanna Umanna and Nsima Ekere.
The two men joined the rival APC a few years ago.
An APC source who was at the Ikot Ekpene stadium on Wednesday told Elendu Reports that Akpabio’s entry into the party will lead to the exit of some party stalwarts including him.
The source pointed out that Akpabio’s former boss, Obong Victor Attah and Chief Don Etiebet were absent at the senator’s coming out celebration.
