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.
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.
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