Dare Babalola
Some stalwarts of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State have accused Minister of Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, of working against the party’s interest and growth in the state.
The party members, representing 29 out of 31 Local Government Areas, made the accusation in a letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu.
The letter, signed by several party stalwarts, alleged that the Minister is nursing a gubernatorial ambition and is working to undermine the party’s unity and progress in the state.
They claimed that Ekpo has been creating factions, sidelining, and ostracising party members who do not support his ambition.
The party members also accused the Minister of betraying the trust reposed in him as a member of the party and prioritising his personal interests over the party’s ideals.
They urged President Tinubu to take immediate action to address the situation and restore the integrity of the party.
”This is a clear betrayal of the trust reposed in him as a member of our great party. We are also deeply concerned about the Minister’s actions in undermining the Senate President and sowing seeds of discord between him and the Governor. Rather than working together to advance the cause of our party in Akwa Ibom State, the Minister is busy pursuing his personal interests at the expense of party unity and cohesion.
“In light of these developments, we insist that the Minister is a liability to your administration and a curse to our party in Akwa Ibom State. His actions are unbecoming of a public servant and a leader in our party. We urge you to take immediate action to address this situation and restore the integrity of our party,” the statement reads partly.
The letter was endorsed by Michael Essien from Ini LGA, Obong Anthony John from Itu LGA, Victor Okon from Uruan LGA, Pst David Udoh from Ibiono LGA, Lawrence Edet from Uyo LGA, David Linus from Ibesikpo Asutan LGA, Asua Effiong from Etinan LGA, and Vincent Etuk from Nsit Atai LGA
Others include Samuel Samuel from Abak, Emmanuel Chris from Ika, Iniemem Effiong from Ikot Ekpene, Edidiong Okon from Mkpat Enin, Steve Udofia from Ikot Abasi, and Raphael Charles from Eastern Obolo. Nse Akpabio from Onna, Friday Edoho from Eket, Akpan Michael from Esit Eket, Victor Esin from Oron, Alex Anwana from Urue Offong, Ita Efiom from Okobo, and Ronald Etta from Mbo Alao.
Okon Okwong from Udung Uko, Victor Ben from Ikono, Sylvester Inyang from Essien Udim, Friday Moses from Obot Akara, Uwem Umoh from Nsit Ubium, Nsikak James from Ukanafun, Richard Peters from Oruk Anam and Felix Unwam from Etim Ekpo LGAs endorsed the letter.
Reacting to the allegations, the Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Louis Ibah, dismissed the letter as lacking in merit and described it as a shallow attempt by attention-seeking non-members of the APC to undermine the Minister’s reputation.
