Timi Frank, a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has strongly criticized Senate President Godswill Akpabio, accusing him of being a serial betrayer and unfit to judge the character of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara. His remarks come in response to Akpabio’s accusation of treachery against Governor Fubara during a public lecture marking the 57th birthday of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
According to Arise News, Frank contended that Akpabio’s history is riddled with instances of betrayal, making him unqualified to accuse others of similar actions. He pointed out that Akpabio’s own political journey has been marked by frequent switches in allegiance, including defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC while holding the minority leader position in the Senate. According to Frank, this record undermines Akpabio’s credibility to pass judgment on others.
He also criticized Akpabio’s close association with Wike, alleging that both men share a pattern of betrayal. Frank argued that Wike’s actions during the 2023 elections, where he allied with four other governors to undermine the PDP, were a significant factor in the party’s poor performance. He accused Wike of continuing to frustrate efforts to unite the PDP, despite now serving as a minister in an APC administration.
Frank highlighted Governor Fubara’s efforts to stand firm for the people of Rivers State, contrasting this with what he described as Akpabio’s tendency to prioritize personal gain over public service. He accused Akpabio of transforming the 10th Senate into an extension of the executive branch, undermining its independence and credibility. These actions, he argued, make Akpabio ill-suited to criticize Fubara’s governance.
The statement further encouraged Governor Fubara to remain focused on delivering for the people of Rivers State despite distractions from political opponents. Frank praised Fubara’s recent legal victory at the Appeal Court, which restored monthly allocations to Rivers State, as evidence of his commitment to defending the state’s interests. He urged Fubara to continue prioritizing the welfare of Rivers people over external pressures.
Frank called on the public to disregard Akpabio’s accusations against Fubara and instead focus on issues that matter most to the development of Rivers State. He expressed confidence that Fubara would emerge victorious over his political adversaries and urged all stakeholders to support the governor’s efforts to move the state forward.
According to him: “The man who spoke is a known betrayer; the man who he was defending is a betrayer. So, a betrayer and treacherous character is most unqualified to tag a more decent and responsible man a betrayer.”