By Bayo Etema, Uyo
Loyalists of the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio are are missing as All Progressive Congress (APC) Akwa Ibom State Chapter Inaugurates State Executive Committee.
Respective factions loyal to Akpabio, a former governor of the state and the current caretaker National Secretary of APC, Senator John Akpanudoede, are fighting for the control of the party structure in the state.
Both factions had last year conducted parallel state congress and produced two different leadership for the state APC.
While Akpabio’s faction had Mr Stephen Ntukokpo as the Chairman, Senator Akpanudoedehe’s faction had Mlr. Augustine Ekanem as its Chairman.
But during the inauguration of the state executives by the national leadership of the party on Thursday in Abuja, Augustine Ekanem was recognized and sworn in as the Chairman for Akwa Ibom State APC.
Ekanem, who arrived Uyo, the state capital on Friday from Abuja after his inauguration, immediately inaugurated executive members from Akpanudoedehe faction at the party State Secretariat in Ekpene Road, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
He promised to bring various groups within the party together and charged the new members of State Executive Council of the party to step up their games at promoting the vision, mission and activities of APC to Akwa Ibom people in order to win their supports
He said the inaugurations of the State Executive officers was in line following the elections conducted on the 16th October 2021 at Sheer Grace Arena led by the Seven-man congress Committee under Alhaji Yusuf Banki Sheriff as Chairman.
He stated that the inauguration was a call to duty to mobilise Akwa Ibom electorates towards the upcoming elections to defeat the State Ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in 2023.
He added that , APC is open to accommodates new interest groups within the state who may wish to join the party.
Goodwill messages were delivered by eminent party leaders including His Grace, Arch Bishop Samuel Akpan, Leader of APC Coalition, AAC, Akwa Ibom State.
The new State Executive Committee of the party has; Mr Austin Ekanem as Chairman, Prince Uwemedimo Ekanem as Deputy Chairman, Mr Nkereuwen Enyongekere as State Secretary, Mr. Cletus Dick as State Assistant Secretary, Mr. Aniefiok Jackson, State Zonal Vice Chairman (1), Mr Joseph Gregory Ekerete, State Zonal Chairman (11), Dr Inyang Abia, State Zonal Chairman(111) representing Uyo, Ikot Ekpene and Eket Senatorial Districts respectively.
Others include: Barr. Tom Essien Udonsek, Legal Adviser, Bar Sam Inyangude, Assistant State Legal Adviser, Elder Imo Ukpe as Treasurer with Chief Pius Ita Okon as Assistant Treasurer, Pastor Udo Isaiah as State Financial Secretary; Mrs Maria Akanimo Thomas as Assistant Financial Secretary; Mr Aniekan Ekpo as State organising Secretary and Kinsley Udo Edoho as Assistant State Organising Secretary.
Also inaugurated were Solomon Johnny, State Publicity Secretary, Elder Samuel Akpan as State Assistant Publicity Secretary, Mrs Ekaete Isong as State Welfare Secretary, Hon Alex Umo as State Assistant Welfare Secretary, Mr Nelson Ekpo as State Auditor with Elder Friday Micheal as State Assistant Auditor while Princess Nseobong Ekpo and Elder (Mrs) Roselyne Inyang were inaugurated as Women and State Assistant Women Leader’s respectively
The party also inaugurated Mr Louis Paul Udo as State Youth Leader, Willyns Nteyoho as State Assistant Youth Leader, Prince Okon Enetak as State Special (Physically Challenge) Leader.
As well as Hon Samuel Daniel Umo, Hon Charles Udoetuk, Ime Okon Edward as State Senatorial Youth Leader 1, 11 and 111 respectively; Mrs Rose Okon Unwana, Mrs Etieno Femi Awoga, Mrs Grace Akpabio as State Senatorial Women Lead…
