February 11, (THEWILL) – Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Akwa Ibom State, have described the purported endorsement of Senator John Akpan Udoedehe, as the sole candidate of the party in 2023 gubernatorial election as insidious and cannot see the light of day.
A communiqué issued at the end of an enlarged stakeholders’ meeting of the Party at Kara Event Centre, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, says the exercise was hasty, ill-conceived, undemocratic and ridiculous.
According to the Communique, “Stakeholders invite and encourage all aspirants to indicate interest to contest all offices in the next general elections as a level playing field is guaranteed.”
“That Stakeholders observe that the convener/host of the ill-fated ‘Udoedehe-adoption meeting’, had no mandate or locus to convene or preside over such a meeting as he is neither a former Governor nor the highest political office holder, as envisaged by the APC Constitution and therefore had no authority whatsoever to convene or preside over such a meeting”, the communiqué read.
The statement further explained, “Stakeholders expressed displeasure at the purported adoption of the National Secretary/Secretary Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Senator John James Akpan Udoedehe, as the Gubernatorial Candidate of APC in the 2023 general elections by a few members of the Party in the State as hasty, ill-conceived, undemocratic and ridiculous. Stakeholders invite and encourage all aspirants to indicate interest to contest all offices in the next general elections as a level playing field is guaranteed.”
The stakeholders further described the zoning of the Chairmanship position of the party and the governorship candidate in the forthcoming election to Uyo Senatorial District, by a faction of the party as a mark of desperation, which is alien to the progressive ethos and principle which the APC stands for.
They further called on President Buhari to call Senator Udoedehe and his cohorts to order, so as to save the party from implosion.
“The actions of Senator Udoedehe have so far betrayed a grand plot to destabilise and destroy the Party in the State. Stakeholders recall that in 2019, the Party’s bright chances at the general elections in Akwa Ibom State, were sabotaged by people who were attending nocturnal meetings with agents of the ruling party in the State. This much has been attested to by a certain Governor in the South-South. Stakeholders vowed not to allow such betrayal repeat itself in the 2023 elections” the communiqué states.
The Stakeholders condemn the arbitrary selection of Chairmanship Aspirant of the party from Uyo Senatorial District by a minor faction of the party, led-by Senator Udoedehe, who also wants to be a Governorship candidate.
This position, which is against the norms and ethics of the Party, is divisive, unjust, insensitive, and presents a clear advantage to rival Parties as we approach the 2023 general elections.
The APC in Akwa Ibom State Commended President Buhari for ratifying the national convention of the party for February 26 and further applauded the party reconciliation committee for their integrity and forthrightness.
“We salute the patriotism, resilience, and commitment of the Reconciliation Committee led by Senator Abdullahi Adamu for their integrity and forthrightness. Their assignment further rekindled hope for the Party and its teeming members across the country and in Akwa Ibom State in particular.”
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 Alex Nyong, Hon Victor Antai, Mrs Richard King, Hon Kufre Akpabio, Hon Akpabio Ukpa, and many others.
