September 22, (THEWILL) — Political parties in Akwa Ibom State, excluding the governing All Progressives Congress, APC and the major opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have formally heeded the call of former Governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke, to rally round the African Democratic Congress, ADC in the South-South geo-political zone.
Imoke made the call in July and at the weekend, leaders of six political parties formally declared for the ADC in Uyo, the state capital of Akwa Ibom State.
The coalition leaders included Dr. Uduak Udoh, Akwa Ibom candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 governorship election, his Action Alliance counterpart, Prince Jeremiah Akpan, former State APC Chairman, Hon Austin Ekanem and Elder Dr. Isong Ukpong.
Addressing the well-attended meeting earlier in Calabar where he made the call, Imoke, now the leader of ADC in Cross Rivers State, said the coalition was ready as the only viable alternative to what he described “as a steady decline in governance at both state and national levels.”
Imoke who introduced Usani as the new National Vice Chairman of ADC, South-South, also declared Jackie Wayas, daughter of the late Senate President Joseph Wayas, as the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party.
He said, “We’re in for serious business. We want to reignite the spirit and determination we had in 1998 when, despite lacking resources, we successfully took over power in the state.”
Imoke, the second democratically elected governor of the state uner the current democratic dispensation, further lamented the worsening economic situation, saying, “Nigerians are hungry, not just for food but for change, for people-friendly leadership. Today, Nigeria has become the poverty and hardship capital of the world.”
He emphasised that ADC would focus on building a new generation of leaders, not recycling the older class. He also praised the party’s constitution, describing it as one of the best among political parties in Nigeria.
At the inaugural meeting of the coalition, former Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Hon. Bassey Ewa, moved a motion for various political parties to collapse into ADC. The motion was seconded by former State Commissioner for Information, Chief Akin Ricketts.
State ADC Chairman, Dr John Ogar, welcomed the new members and assured that, with their support, party offices would be established across all 196 wards and 18 local government chapters in the state.
At the weekend, the new entrants into the ADC, vowed to mobilise their supporters towards seizing power from ruling the APC, in Akwa Ibom State by fielding capable, popular and credible candidates to end the reign of leadership selection by godfathers in the state come 2027.
State Chairman of the ADC, Rt.Hon Duke Dick, party leader, Sen John Akpanudoedehe and others harped on achieving this goal at the official unveiling of the party’s Coalition in Uyo themed, “Reclaiming Democracy and Empowering the People”.
The Coalition, made of leaders from various political backgrounds and platforms, include Dr. Uduak Udoh, Akwa Ibom candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 governorship election, his Action Alliance counterpart, Prince Jeremiah Akpan, former State APC Chairman, Hon Austin Ekanem and Elder Dr. Isong Ukpong among others.
Calling on the Coalition leaders and supporters to close ranks under ADC to upstage a common enemy come 2027, Sen Akpanudoedehe told the gathering, “Our interest is to build a strong party, so keep differences aside and work together.
“We who were enemies before have come together to oust an insensitive government by godfathers, for the good of our people. I encourage you to love this party and help it win. If you don’t bring out quality people, you may not win the elections. You’ll end up winning only on billboards.
“If after the Congress the Coalition brings out any presidential candidate, we must support that person to succeed and same for our dear state. We have a bigger enemy to confront, which is bad governance.”
Akwa Ibom ADC Chairman, Rt.Hon Duke Dick said, the party and its Coalition partners would kick against old politics of “empty promises, money-bags, and godfathers. We are here to build a movement of inclusion, transparency, and accountability.
“Our mission is to break the chains of corruption and exclusion. To give voice to the youth, to empower women, to mobilize the diaspora, and to unite our diversity into strength.
“Not to deceive ourselves, reclaiming genuine democracy will not be easy. The forces of oppression and corruption will resist us. But history shows that when the people are united, no obstacle can stand in their way.
“Here in Akwa Ibom, we will shine the light. We will show that politics can be clean, leadership can be accountable, and development can be people centered.”
In separate remarks, the party’s Youth and Women leaders, Edidiong Ekpe and Hon. Juliet Amba, respectively, called on supporters to work in harmony to bring positive change.
A traditional PDP state since 1999, Governor Eno Umo rewrote the politics of the state when he defected to the APC. With that singular act, he polarised the politics in the state and opened up the landscape for others like the ADC to pitch their tent.
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