Akwa Ibom APC Ends Rift, Recalls Suspended Chairman, Deputy

The leadership of the Akwa Ibom State All Progressives Congress (APC), has declared that all issues in dispute that led to the removal of the chairman, Obong Stephen Ntukekpo, and his deputy, Dr David Umo Essien, have been laid to rest.

The acting chairman, Dr Cyril Effiong Enemi, who held forth during the period, explained that the circumstances that led to the suspension of the two principal officers border on issues of alleged mismanagement of the welfare of members, assuring that the matter had been resolved, and the affected officers reinstated.

Addressing journalists late Tuesday evening at the 6, Ekpo Obot office of the party in Uyo, the state capital, Enemi, who described the feud as “a mere storm in a tea cup,” further affirmed that “the substantive Chairman Ntukekpo, and his Deputy, Umo Essien, will now return to their positions, while I also return to my former position as the Eket Senatorial District chairman of our party.”

He recalled that the crises which led to the polarisation of the party in the state started in July 2, noting that “the issues that would have led to a serious tsunami have been nibbed in the bud.”

The communique signed by 32 officials and endorsed by the State Executive Council (SEC) of the party, expressed confidence in the ability of the Obong Ntukekpo -led leadership, and assured of a united front towards ensuring APC captures the state in the next general election.

Besides, the state chapter of the party extended congratulations to President Bola Tinubu, and Chief Godswill Akpabo, the Senate President, as leaders of the party at the national and state levels.

Part of the communique reads: “The SEC of the APC, Akwa Ibom State, after a well attended Exco Meet, took a careful look at recent development within the party, and unanimously agreed to take the following measures to move the party forward and further entrench peace and unity at all levels.

“The entire SEC passed a vote of confidence on Obong Stephen Ntukekpo, as the state chairman of the party, and also pledged our full support for his pragmatic leadership style by sustaining peace and unity within all components of the party.

“All issues leading to recent disagreements within the SEC, were amicably resolved, and warring factions pledged to withdraw earlier release making the rounds on various social media platforms. The SEC congratulated Senator Godswill Akpabio, for his victory as Senate President, affirmed him as the leader of the party in the state, and pledged to work with relevant stakeholders in order to move the party forward in the state.”