TheHILL | POLITICS | February 11
The All Progressives Congress in Akwa Ibom State has rekindled the hope and assured party faithful across the state that the party would take over power in Akwa Ibom State come 2023.
Arising from an enlarged stakeholder meeting at Kara Events Centre, Uyo, the APC stakeholders urged members to keep aside their factional, sectional sentiments and build the party for success in 2023.
The chairman of the meeting, Dr. Effiong Etuk; a former APC Secretary in Akwa Ibom State, and chairman of APC Bridge Builders Forum said the APC in Akwa Ibom State started with 9 persons, with Senator Udoedehe as the 10th person.
Dr. Chris Akpan described the endorsement of Senator John James Akpan Udoedehe as illegal and a contravention of the party’s constitution. He called the endorsement a gang up of disgruntled persons
“This party will have more aspirants for governorship and the primaries shall be done with transparency. What happened at Atuekong Etiebet’s residence is unacceptable. So far, up to seven persons have indicated interest to run for the governorship in this party, it is our duty to guide all of them”.
Barr. Mfon Udeme, a former Local Government Chairman said the purported distribution of certificates of return to supposed winners of the State Congress was a fraud and an act of desperation.
“What happened in Abuja was a fraud and that fraud is masterminded by somebody who is drowning. It is impossible for anybody to choose a chairman of a party in the area where a governorship seat is going. That is the message I want you to take home, and I encourage you to get ready, as you all know the gate of Government House is now open”, he said.
Mrs. Richard King, who spoke on behalf of the women, said “it is not over until it is over. Shine your eyes; we are still in the field of politics. By the time the convention is over, we will know who wins and by what margin. Let us go and wait and support our leader, pray for him and support him. Let his political ingenuity work for us. We have a leader, the Minister, Obong Godswill Akpabio and you know his intelligence is sound. Politically he is good. Because we have him going before us, let us follow. He will not lead us into the mud but he will lead us into victory. Go home and tell your people, our leader is on ground”.
The Director-General of Akwa Ibom Democratic Forum (ADF) Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo said “APC in Akwa Ibom State would not be business as usual. We are in for serious business this time around. As far as APC is concerned, we are going to win the Hilltop Manson come 2023”.
“We have collapsed the socio-political groups. Irrespective of the socio-political group you belong, today we are now talking about APC. We have to build this party to succeed”.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the enlarged stakeholders meeting, the APC stakeholders in Akwa Ibom State expressed confidence in the ability of the Party to win the 2023 elections and resolved to continue to work for its peace and growth in the larger interest of Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria at large.
The stakeholders urged President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR to call the National Secretary/Secretary Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) Senator John James Akpan Udoedehe to order adding that his actions so far betray a grand plot to destabilize and destroy the Party in the State.
The meeting which was chaired by Dr. Effiong Etuk, former APC Secretary in Akwa Ibom State, was attended by the who-is-who in APC in Akwa Ibom State, including Dr. Chris Akpan, Chief Sunny Ibanga, Hon. Patti Ettete Ineme, Dr. Emayak Ukpong, Hon. Prince Nyong, Hon. Victor Antai, Mrs. Richard King, Hon. Kufre Akpabio, Hon. Akpabio Ukpa, among others.
