SENATOR Godswil Obot Akpabio, has resigned as Senate Minority Leader of the upper legislate chamber.

Mr Akpabio, who represents Akwa Ibom North West District in the Senate, is a former governor of Akwa Ibom State.

The former governor, a first timer at the Senate, was reportedly planning to dump his party, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).

Mr Akpabio’s defection is surprising, coming at a time several APC leaders, including the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, have defected to the PDP.

In a letter dated August 4, 2018, the lawmaker said his resignation was with immediate effect.

According to Sun Newspaper, he thanked the PDP alongside and his colleagues for the opportunity given to him while he served in that capacity.