The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Esit Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State has suspended the Senate President’s media aide, Eseme Eyiboh, following a dispute over convening a stakeholders’ meeting without the approval of the party’s local leadership.
The suspension, announced by Ward 9 executives of the party, came barely 24 hours after the Esit Eket chapter chairperson, Urua Akpe, threatened sanctions against Mr Eyiboh and other political figures over the same meeting.
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Announcement of suspension
In a letter dated 22 April and addressed to the state chairman through the chapter chairman, the ward executives said the decision was based on alleged anti-party conduct.
The letter is posted on Facebook.
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“We, the entire ward executives of the All Progressives Congress, Ward 9, Esit Eket Local Government Area write to formally notify of the suspension of Eseme Eyiboh from the party at the ward level.
“This decision follows several acts considered detrimental to the unity and progress of the party, including negligence, anti-party activities, refusal to acknowledge (party executives) in his ward, attack on party executives, and actions that have encouraged division within the party.
“In view of the above, we the undersigned ward executives hereby resolve and effect suspension on Mr Eyiboh, pending further directives from higher authorities,” stated the letter signed by 21 APC local leaders.
Meeting held despite warnings
The suspension is linked to a stakeholders’ meeting hosted on Wednesday by Mr Eyiboh and attended by political leaders and community figures in Esit Eket.
Prior to the meeting, Mr Akpe had warned that any such gathering held without the approval of the party leadership would attract sanctions.
Those mentioned in the warning included a former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Bassey Dan-Abia, a former member of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Usoro Akpanusoh, and former commissioner of women affairs, Ini Adiakpan.
Despite the warning, the meeting proceeded and produced a strong political message ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Stakeholders back Tinubu, Akpabio, others
At the meeting, participants endorsed President Bola Tinubu for re-election, alongside Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
They also backed a senator, Ekong Sampson and House of Representatives member, Okpolupm Etteh, citing the need for continuity in leadership.
Former NDDC managing director, Mr Dan-Abia, described the meeting as community-driven.
“Our focus is on moving Esit Eket forward and recalibrating its growth trajectory. We must remain conscious of the welfare of our people and the future of our community,” he said.
Mr Eyiboh, who addressed the gathering, called for transparency in the management of funds under the Petroleum Industry Act.
“We must remain vigilant and ensure accountability. This platform allows citizens to ask questions and fully exercise their civic rights,” he stated.
Other speakers, including former Speaker of Akwa Ibom assembly, Bassey Essien and the former state lawmaker, Mr Akpanusoh, stressed zoning, inclusiveness, and broader engagement as critical to political stability.
Dispute over ‘stakeholders’ meeting
Mr Eyiboh has rejected the basis for the sanctions, insisting that the gathering was not a formal party meeting and therefore did not require approval from party officials.
“He doesn’t need to approve the meeting of Esit Eket stakeholders. There are two things there. Maybe, his level of ignorance. If we’re convening a party meeting he’s the person to convene the meeting based on the APC guidelines but not the stakeholders meeting,” Mr Eyiboh told this newspaper on Thursday.
After news of his suspension surfaced, Mr Eyiboh questioned the authority of party executives over such gatherings, asking “if the party executives have anything to do with community stakeholders.”
Background to dispute
The controversy appears rooted in earlier remarks by Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, who had warned that no individual should convene APC meetings at state or local levels without the approval of party chairmen.
The governor had, however, exempted himself and Mr Akpabio from the directive, a position that may have influenced the chapter leadership’s stance.
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When contacted, the APC spokesperson in the state, Patrick Edeke, said the party would take a position on the matter.
Mr Edeke asked PREMIUM TIMES to wait for the party’s decision, indicating that the suspension at the ward level may not be final.
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