The crisis rocking the Akwa Ibom State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), took a new twist as security operatives have taken over the party secretariat in the state to forestall any breakdown of law and order.
This followed the refusal of the Elder Aniekan Akpan – led State Executive Council (SEC) to heed the dissolution order by the National Working Committee (NWC).
The national publicity secretary of PDP Debo Ologunagba, had issued a directive declaring the dissolution of the Akwa Ibom State Exco of the PDP by the National Working Committee in Abuja and announced the constitution of a 31- member Care-taker Committee for a three month period pending when election will be conducted.
However, the stern looking Police operatives numbering about 15 took over the main entrance to the secretariat. They screened officials before allowing them entry into the office.
Journalists were stopped from entering the premises by the officers including plain clothes security agents.
It took the intervention of the publicity secretary of state PDP, Godwin Ebiese, who personally came to identify Journalists before being cleared in.
“We are doing our work as we were directed,” one of the operatives was heard telling some party officials who could not properly identify themselves.
Meanwhile, the embattled chairman Akpan, who spoke to Journalists in the party office amidst tight security, said the dissolution of the executive was a clear case of misinformation, insisting that the party executives remain intact and united.
“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State wishes to address a recent wave of misinformation circulating on social media platforms, particularly on Facebook, claiming the dissolution of our duly elected State Executive Committee (Exco).
“We categorically state that these reports are not only false but also unconstitutional,” adding that their tenure would lapse in 2028.
Akpan who was surrounded by all the purportedly sacked Exco members explained that the PDP is governed by the rule of law and guided by the party constitution, recalling that the Exco members were elected in a well constituted State Congress for a fix term of four years .
“Any attempt to undermine this democratic process through fabricated reports and political jobbers will not be tolerated,” he warned, noting that some of the Exco members were falsely listed in the new Care-taker Committee without their consent.
“These individuals have already issued a press release distancing themselves from such falsehoods, highlighting the desperation and recklessness of these political bandits,” he stressed.
According to Akpan, the NWC that allegedly sacked them never had any formal meeting before they settled on such unpopular decision, adding that the PDP National Secretary has issued a press statement in that regard .
“Furthermore, we have it on good authority that the National Working Committee (NWC) of our party did not convene any formal sitting to take such a decision.
“The National Secretary of the PDP, Sen. Samuel N. Anyanwu, has issued a press release discountenancing such publications, affirming that no formal sitting of the NWC was held to sanction the dissolution of our State Exco.”
Akpan therefore appealed to party members, supporters and the general public to disregard the false report and remain committed to the lawful leadership of the party in Akwa Ibom state .
“The State Exco stands firm, and we will continue to work towards advancing the interests of our great party and the people of Akwa Ibom State.”
The party chairman said he would continue to be identified with the state governor pastor Umo Eno as the governor is not only the leader of APC but leading entire state across party lines
“The party can not separate us from governor Umo Eno. He is the governor for all. Nobody can say we have engaged in anti-party activities by hub nubbing with the governor” he said.
However, some party stakeholders believed that the decision of the NWC to sack Akwa Ibom Exco is predicated on the party’s constitution which empowers them to dissolve Exco in any State chapter.
“The Constitution of PDP Section 31 (2) d states that National Executive Committee shall – ‘where necessary, dissolve a State Executive Committee and appoint a Care-Taker Committee to run the Party until another Executive Committee is elected, provided that the period from the dissolution to the election of the new Executive Committee shall not exceed 3 months;”
