By Martins EDDEM
The Akwa Ibom State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC also had her fair share of the nationwide crisis and violence that marred the Congresses of the party in some places across Nigeria.
The Mirror Newspaper can authoritatively report that the purported news that the warring factions within the party had resolved their dispute shortly before the Congress, earlier peddled by some APC media handlers, was completely false as there was a serious supremacy battle between Senator John James Akpanudoedehe’s faction and Nsima Ekere’s faction.
According to one of the delegates, trouble started when over 500 boys allegedly working for Udoedehe, stormed the APC Secretariat at Atiku Abubakar Way, beat up the chapter chairman of Etim Ekpo and others who dared to oppose them or anybody working against Udoedehe’s interest.
The delegate, who pleaded anonymity, disclosed that Udoedehe had issued a very strong warning that must return all his men that who were suspended as officers of the party must be returned and that Amadu Atai must not return as state chairman of the party, adding that Udoedehe’s men had overpowered Nsima Ekere’s boys and that the results may be in favour of Udoedehe.
Meanwhile, Thomas Tomas, a staunch support of Udoedehe took to social media to reveal that Udoedehe had taken over the party structure. He wrote;
“Revolution has started…
Today, the 5th day of May, 2018, APC, Akwa Ibom State had concluded its ward congresses across the State in a very peaceful manner. The most interesting aspect is that the Party structure across the State has been returned to status quo ante, thus, those who were elected into various positions in various wards since 2014 should continue.
“This proposal was orchestrated by Sen. John Udoedehe in his effort to save his supporters from being dislodged from the Party as proposed by the Don. Etiebet and Mr. Nsima Ekere.
“Today, Udoedehe’s camp jubilated in the State. It is certain that what happened in 2011 was a child’s play compare to what will happen when Udoedehe finally becomes the Governorship flagbearer of the Party in 2019.
“Meanwhile, Don Etiebet has said he has retired from politics because he is up to 73 years old. The former Petroleum Minister said this yesterday in the office of Buhari Supporters at Willington Bassey Way, Uyo and refused to attend today’s APC stakeholders meeting which birthed the consensus arrangement which handed over the Ward structures of the Party to Sen. Udoedehe.
“This reporter can authoritatively report that Mr. Etiebet decided to retire from active politics following Udoedehe confrontation of him over his acceptance to play the role of a campaign manager to Mr. Ekere whom he is old enough to father.
“A source who attended the Willington Bassey Way meeting told this reporter that “Sen. Udoedehe told Chief Etiebet that it is a shame for him to run around and after Mr. Ekere whom he can father just because of money. He said the former Petroleum Minister was not qualified to chair the meeting which brokered the peace deal, and all the stakeholders unanimously called him to step down, and he did before the meeting commenced.
Udoedehe’s men are happy now….”
In the meantime, the Mirror Newspaper gathered that the duo of Nsima Ekere and Mr Amadu Attai and other chieftains of the Akwa Ibom APC, loyal to Nsima Ekere are to meet on Sunday afternoon to put heads together on how to stop Senator Udoedeghe from having a more firmer grip on the party.
One of the aides to Obong Nsima Ekere who spoke to us on strict condition of anonymity via a telephone interview, Saturday evening told the Mirror Newspaper already, Obong Nsima Ekere has briefed the APC Chieftain, Rotimi Amaechi of the confusion that Senator Udoedeghe caused during yesterday’s failed Congress.
“We cannot continue like this as a Party. Tinubu is the one causing all this nonsense. Nsima Ekere is trying to make this party attractive to Akwa Ibom State again and one old man is sitting somewhere in far away Lagos State and supporting a glorified thug to destroy it. If they make the mistake of allowing the Governorship ticket to slip into the hand of that glorified tout, then the APC will be dead forever. And I can assure you that my boss Nsima Ekere will abandon the party.” One of Nsima Ekere’s aide told our source via a telephone interview.
