Exclusive: Plans To Manipulate APC Chairmanship Uncovered

  

Plans to stage-manage the Chairmanship position of All Progressives Congress in Akwa Ibom State for selfish interest have been uncovered,  investigation has shown. 

Investigation by our newspaper shows that following the untimely demise of Obong Ini Okopido, some APC political heavyweights are plotting to allow the slot to remain in the Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika federal Constituency.

Okopido hailed from Ika Local Government Area of the Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika federal Constituency.

Another source has it that other APC top shots are working on the possibility of scheming the position to Ikot Ekpene-Obot Akara-Essien Udim Federal Constituency to allow Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency bid for Senate seat.

‘’Unfortunately, some people in Uyo Senatorial District are scheming to retain the position. Already, Dr. Ita Udosen is the state acting Chairman of the party and he is busy canvassing for support to retain the position.

‘’This will be the greatest undoing of the party and the Uyo Federal Constituency because governorship position is to be purportedly zoned to them. Where this is allowed to happen, then the party is heading towards a rock because people over there are wiser now,’’ an anonymous party man opined.

However, some political pundits are of the opinion ‘’It is generally known that APC State Chairmanship was zoned to Ikot Ekpene Senatorial district in 2014. Dr. Amadu Attai from Ukanafun-Oruk Anam federal Constituency held the position from 2014 to 2018. 

‘’The position was later shifted to Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika federal Constituency. Obong Iniobong Titus Okopido held the position from 2018 to 2020 before his passage into eternity. Later, the party was dissolved to give room for caretaker committee arrangement.’’

 

‘’For purpose of fairness and equity, it is generally believed that former Abak should retain the position. Be that as it may, naturally the position should return to Ukanafun-Oruk Anam Federal Constituency where Ukanafun person will occupy the position while Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency will take the Senate slot in 2023,’’ an undisclosed source told the newspaper.

In an interview, a former governorship aspirant and chieftain of the party, Uduakobong Okpoho, told The Eyes over the telephone on Sunday night that it was not in his place to say where the next Chairman of the party would come from.

Okpoho added that eventhough the acting Chairman was qualified to present himself for the position, it would be detrimental to the zoning position of the party since the Governor was expected to come from the same senatorial district where he comes from.