Politics
Former APC National Secretary Dumps Party
The immediate past National Secretary of Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator James John Akpanudoedehe, has resigned from the party.
It is speculated that what might have led to Akpanudoedehe’s resignation could be a face-off between him and the APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, when he was the National Secretary, resulting in the latter paying him back now.
Apart from that, Akpanudoedehe supported Chief Austin Ekanem as the state APC Chairman, while former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Goodswill Akpabio is supporting Obong Stephen Ntukekpo, a disagreement that both parties could not resolve amicably.
In a letter of resignation dated June 4, 2022, and addressed to the Chairman of All Progressives Congress, Ward 6, Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Akpanudoedehe said the decision to part ways with the APC was a tough one.
“Henceforth, I cease to be a member of the APC in my ward (ward 6 in Uyo LGA) or anywhere for that matter. I hereby relinquish all rights which inured to me as a member of the APC, member of the National Advisory Council and member of the National Caucus of the APC,” he wrote.
Confirming the story to The Tide source on Monday, Solomon Johnny who was the state Publicity Secretary of APC under the Ekanem-led administration said, “It is true that the Senator has resigned.”
Recall that the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, swore in Stephen Ntukekpo as chairman of the party in Akwa Ibom State despite a court order directing parties to maintain the status quo.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja had on April 7 directed all parties “to maintain the status quo” in an appeal filed by Akpanudoedehe for a stay of execution as well as challenging the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court in Abuja which declared Mr Ntukepo as chairman of the party in Akwa Ibom.
However, on April 11, 72 hours after the court’s directive, Mr Ntukekpo was sworn in by Mr Adamu as the substantive chairman of APC in Akwa Ibom State, in defiance of the Appeal Court order.
But last week, Senator Akpanudoedehe withdrew the matter from the court.
From the beginning, APC in Akwa Ibom State had been enmeshed in a leadership crisis before and after the state congress of the party in October 2021.
The state congress of the party resulted in two different sets of executives claiming leadership of the party in the state.
Two parallel state congresses of the party were held in October 2021 which produced two parallel state executives, both claiming to be the legitimate body in charge of the party in the state.
One faction led by Austin Ekanem as state chairman, which was loyal to Mr Akpanudoedeghe was said to have emerged from the congress conducted at Sheergrace Arena in Uyo reportedly monitored by a committee deployed by the party’s national headquarters and supervised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The second faction led by Mr Ntukekpo as state chairman, which is loyal to the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, emerged from the congress conducted the same day but in another location – Kara Event Centre, also in the state capital, Uyo.
Leadership crisis amid legal tussle erupted immediately after the state congress, but Mr Akpanudoedehe’s faction, led by Mr Ekanem, had the upper hand when their principal was in office as Caretaker Committee Secretary of the party.
Mr Ekanem was, on March 7, sworn into office as the state chairman of the party along with others by the Niger State Governor, Abubakar Bello, who was then acting chairman of the party’s caretaker committee while the then chairman, Governor Mala Buni of Yobe State, was abroad for medical treatment.
However, the governorship primary that was held on May 26, 2022 broke the camel’s back.
Akpanudoedehe who was an APC governorship aspirant plotted to hold the primary at Sheergrace Event Centre, Uyo while Akpabio’s faction held its own along Ekpo Obot Street, Uyo, the Ntukekpo’s party office.
Eventually, the APC National body delivered election materials to Ntukekpo and Obong Akan Udofia emerged as the state governorship standard bearer for the 2023 general elections.
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has strongly rejected calls by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria seeking the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, over comments he allegedly made on genocide.
The Fellowship described the demand as unjustified and a threat to constitutional freedoms.
In a statement signed by its National Secretary, Bishop David Bakare, the PFN insisted that Prof Amupitan, like every Nigerian, has the constitutional right to express his views on matters of national concern, irrespective of the public office he occupies.
According to the PFN, the comments attributed to the INEC Chairman were made in his personal capacity and had no link whatsoever with his official responsibilities or electoral duties.
The Fellowship stressed that elections and electoral activities were not involved in the matter, arguing that there was no basis to connect the alleged comments to Prof Amupitan’s role as INEC Chairman.
“We strongly oppose such calls because Prof. Amupitan, as a Nigerian, has the right to make comments on what he observes to be happening in the nation, regardless of his appointment or assignment,” the statement read.
The PFN said it condemned “in every ramification” the suggestion that the INEC Chairman should be removed from office on the basis of his personal views, warning against attempts to punish public officials for expressing opinions outside the scope of their official duties.
The Tide source reports that the Fellowship also cautioned against what it described as a growing tendency to interpret national issues through religious lenses, noting that such an approach only deepens divisions and undermines peaceful coexistence.
“We must resist the temptation of profiling or judging people based on their religious beliefs or positions. Prof. Amupitan has a right to bear his mind, and this should not be at the cost of his job,” the PFN added.
The PFN called on all stakeholders to exercise restraint, understanding and mutual respect in national discourse, particularly on sensitive issues.
It emphasised that unity and peace must remain paramount in addressing national challenges.
The Fellowship reaffirmed its commitment to fairness, justice and mutual respect, urging that these values guide public engagement and responses to issues affecting the country.
The Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Rivers State Governor, Dr. Darlington Oji, has disclosed that about 15 Special Advisers to the governor were duly approved by the Rivers State House of Assembly before the current political crisis in the State.
Oji made the disclosure in a Television programme in Port Harcourt, recently, while reacting to issues surrounding appointments, the impeachment moves against the governor and his deputy, and allegations of financial mismanagement.
He clarified that the appointment of Special Advisers was carried out in strict compliance with constitutional provisions, and received the approval of the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, before the crisis began.
According to the Special Adviser, the appointments did not require any further screening, countering claims that the governor violated due process in constituting his advisory team.
On the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, Oji described the process as unfounded and lacking constitutional backing.
He said that several lawmakers who initially supported the impeachment move were now reconsidering their stance after discovering that the process had no legal basis.
Oji also attributed the impeachment plot to personal and political ambitions, saying it is not motivated by the interest or welfare of the people of Rivers State.
Speaking on the financial position of the State after the Emergency Rule, the Special Adviser disclosed that the governor met about ?600 billion in the state’s coffers upon assumption of office.
He explained that the availability of funds enabled the administration to continue governance smoothly without the need for a supplementary budget.
The governor’s aide also refuted allegations of financial mismanagement against the governor, and stressed that all allocations to lawmakers and constituency projects were transparently handled.
He maintained that the Fubara administration remained focused on development, stability, and good governance despite the political distractions in the State.
Oji expressed confidence that the impeachment moves would eventually be abandoned as legislators and the public become more informed, adding that the governor’s leadership has continued to reassure citizens and sustain political stability in the State.
King Onunwor
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