A’Ibom APC’s Crisis: Udoedehe, Udosen Are APC Saboteurs – SEC Faction

The discontentment in the Akwa Ibom State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has another dimension as a member of the national caucus of the party, Group Captain Sam Ewang (Rtd), backed by 19 Chapter Chairmen, 21 Chapter Secretaries and other APC bigwigs has suspended the Dr. Ita Udosen -led state caretaker committee.

They also passed a vote-of-no-confidence on the national secretary of the APC, Senator John James Udoedehe, saying he is sabotaging efforts made by committed members to build the party.

The stakeholders, who were addressing journalists at the Press Centre of the Akwa Ibom State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Tuesday, also declared the recently conducted ward congress of the party as a nullity, citing cases of alleged imposition as reason.

A former House of Representatives member, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, who read the text of the suspension notice on the state caretaker committee, said the suspension was in tandem with the APC Constitution.

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He referenced Article 13 Section 7 Subsection 6, which stipulates that “the State Executive Council shall exercise control and take disciplinary actions on all organs, officers and members of the party and determine appeals brought before it by any member or organ within the state.”

Eyiboh, who described the actions of the “suspended” caretaker committee as “a flight of common sense” and antics of “those who are democratic delinquent”, warned that discord may harm the party’s growth in the state.

The former spokesperson of the House of Representatives alleged that Senator Udoedehe attempted to hijack the party by installing his lackeys as ward officers throughout the state, thereby contravening guidelines of the congress.

He called on President Muhammadu Buhari, bigwigs of the party including Chief Godswill Akpabio, Sen. Ita Enang and others to wade in and ensure that a credible congress is conducted.

Leader of the delegation, Rtd. Group Captain Ewang, who had earlier set the tone for the briefing, also accused officials sent to conduct the congress of bias. According to him, the alleged action was bankrolled by “those who are known for selling elections” at the detriment of the APC in the state.

Ewang, a former military governor of Ogun State and Rivers State, equally called for peace to be brokered within the party.

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Concurring the suspension action, 21 Chapter Secretaries led by Mr Ibara Paul, Chapter Secretary, Essien Udim Local Government Area, claimed that Dr. Ita Udosen, the “suspended” caretaker committee chairman was remote-controlled by Senator Udoedehe.

“Senator Udoedehe has the agenda to tear the party apart,” he alleged.

The chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Council of NUJ, Comrade Amos Etuk called on all contending interests within the party to be harmonized for the sake of peace in Akwa Ibom State.

“Many thought the APC would use the ward congress to put its house in order so as to give the PDP a good run….Peace is an Akwa Ibom Project. NUJ calls for synergy among stakeholders of the party,” he concluded.

Members of the “suspended” SEC are as follows: Dr. Ita Udosen – State Chairman, Uwemedimoh Essien – Deputy State Chairman, Austin Ekanem – Secretary, Okon Owoefiok – Treasurer, Nkereuwem Enyongekere – Publicity Secretary, Louis Udoh – State Youth Leader, Rt Hon. Aboh Uduyok – Organising Secretary, Dr Inyang Abia, Eket Sen. District Chairman, Aniefiok Jackson, Uyo Sen. District Chairman, Cosmas Ibanga – Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District Chairman, Uwem Ikamaenyin – Physically Challenged Leader, Magdalene Akpabio – Women Leader, Imoh Effiong Ukpe – Financial Secretary, Rosemary Harry – State Auditor, Chief Sunny Ibanga – Welfare Secretary, and Barr Udonsek – Legal Adviser.

The new “acting caretaker committee” has Pastor Edidiong Idio as Acting State Chairman, Nkereuwem Okpok as Acting Deputy Chairman, and Hon Ubong Ekpo as Acting Secretary, among others.

Other bigwigs of the party who graced the briefing are: Dr. Maurice Ebong, Elder Effiong Etuk, Dr Chris Akpan, Rt. Hon. Emaeyak Ukpong, Hon. Victor Antai, Barr. Chris Okorie, Obonganwan Geraldine Etuk, Mrs Glory Effiong, Bishop Ekpe James, Hon. John Harry, Hon. Patty Ettete Ineme, Akpabio Udo Ukpa, Uduak Udoh and several others.