…as NEC sacks Evans Umoren
By Our Correspondent
Executives of the APC National Youth Caucus, NYC, Akwa Ibom State Chapter have clarified how Comrade Victor Sunday Etim emerged as the State Chairman of the group, urging all members and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress to accord him the necessary support.
In a communique issued during an enlarged meeting in Uyo on 28th April, 2025, NYC noted that Comrade Victor emerged via a keenly contested election held on 19th April, 2025, after a Disciplinary Committee constituted by the immediate-past state chairman had sacked him (Evans Umoren) from office.
The Ethics and Disciplinary Committee constituted with Comrade Lucky Moses Jnr, and Comrade Ini Inyang; Chairman and Secretary, respectively, sat on March 23, 2025, and deliberated on petitions received against Evans Umoren.
The resolutions in the Committee’s report, copies of which were sent to the National body of NYC, APC leaders and stakeholders in Akwa Ibom State as well as security agencies, read in parts as follows:
“That Comrade Evans Umoren be suspended for a period of six months pending further investigation by the Disciplinary Committee and decision of the National body of APC National Youth Caucus as stipulated in the constitution.
“That the Deputy Chairman, APC National Youth Caucus, Akwa Ibom State Chapter, Comrade Joseph Ben takes over on acting capacity for a period of six months pending the reinstatement of the chairman or otherwise.
“That all official documents of APC National Youth Caucus, Akwa Ibom State Chapter in possession of the suspended Chairman be handed over to the acting Chairman”.
Upon reviewing the report of the Ethics and Disciplinary Committee, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of NYC approved Evans Umoren’s immediate removal and directed the Deputy Chairman, Comrade Joseph Ben to take over the running of the Caucus in the state in acting capacity pending when a new State Chairman shall be elected.
In line with Article 4(III), the NEC’s report dated April 7, 2025, copies of which were sent to all relevant quarters, read in parts:
“The NEC in session expressed disappointment and condemn in strong terms the activity and several conducts of Comrade Evans Umoren which has brought disrepute, embarrassment and opprobrium to the Caucus.
“NEC hereby approves for the removal of Comrade Evans Umoren as the Chairman of the APC National Youth Caucus, Akwa Ibom State Chapter with immediate effect. NWC is mandated to communicate the decision to all relevant authorities including security agencies. He is to hand over all Caucus property, official documents, insignia of office in his possession particularly all the financial contributions and donations made so far to the State Caucus and render proper account to the State Caucus with immediate effect.
“Accordingly, in exercise of its duties, NEC hereby approves that the Deputy Chairman, Comrade Joseph Ben takes over in acting capacity, the affairs of the chapter pending the election to fill the vacant Chairmanship position in line with the constitution”.
The Communique which was signed by members of the State Executive Council and the local government chapter Chairmen, also passed a Vote of Confidence In President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and the Senate President, Distinguished Sen. Godswill Obot Akpabio in recognition of their respective leadership qualities.
The Caucus while frowning at what they described as orchestrated blackmail against Senate President Akpabio by the suspended Senator Natasha Okpoti-Uduaghan, also threatened to approach the court on the matter for redress.
Full detail of the Communique read:
“Communique issued by the Executive of the APC National Youth Caucus, NYC, Akwa Ibom State Chapter
Following the recent developments within the APC National Youth Caucus, NYC, Akwa Ibom State Chapter and the orchestrated blackmail of the Senate President, HE, Distinguished Sen (Dr) Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON, by Sen Natasha Okpoti-Uduaghan which has brought the name of our leader and great Party to disrepute and, upon careful deliberations and consultations on the aforesaid, we the Executive Members of the Caucus, wish to officially communicate as follows:
1. Removal of Former Chairman:
The removal of Comrade Evans Umoren as the State Chairman of the APC National Youth Caucus, NYC, Akwa Ibom State Chapter by the State Disciplinary Committee which he (Evans Umoren) had constituted, and the subsequent ratification of the removal by the National Executive Council, became imperative following his gross misconduct, financial misappropriation and abuse of office; acts of which are contrary to the ideals, principles, and constitution of the APC National Youth Caucus.
2. Commitment to Party Discipline and Integrity:
We reiterate our unwavering commitment to upholding the core values of transparency, accountability and service to the people, which are the hallmarks of the APC. We affirm that no individual is above the rules and discipline of the Party.
3. Election of New Chairman:
Arising from a duly convened emergency meeting of the Caucus, and in accordance with the constitutional provisions guiding our operations, Comrade Victor Sunday Etim was unanimously elected as the new State Chairman of the Caucus during a keenly contested election held on Saturday, 19th April, 2025 at the Headquarters of the Akwa Ibom State Command of the Nigeria Police Force, Ikot Akpan Abia. The two other contenders for the Chairmanship office were: Gabriel Ekong and Christopher Bassey, all from Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District to which the Chairmanship position was zoned.
4. Vote of Confidence:
We hereby pass a VOTE OF CONFIDENCE in Comrade Victor Sunday Etim. We firmly believe in his leadership capacity, integrity, vision and unwavering commitment to repositioning the Youth Caucus for greater unity, inclusiveness and impact. His antecedent as a loyal Party man and dedicated youth mobilizer inspire our full and unreserved support.
5. Call for Unity and Support:
We call on all the members of the APC National Youth Caucus, stakeholders and the entire youth structure across Akwa Ibom State to rally round our amiable Chairman; Comrade Victor Sunday Etim as he leads us into a new era of excellence, vibrancy and progress.
6. Orchestrated Blackmail of the Senate President, Sen Godswill Akpabio by Sen Natasha Okpoti-Uduaghan:
We have watched and followed with keen interest the orchestrated blackmail of the Senate President, Distinguished Sen Godswill Obot Akpabio by the suspended Senator Natasha Okpoti-Uduaghan. Her conduct in the course of the entire saga has proven to every sane human that Natasha’s allegations are not only false and baseless, but a calculated attempt to blackmail and bring to disrepute our revered Leader in particular, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and the APC in general.
While we and the entire world were expecting Natasha Okpoti-Uduaghan to bring to bare the evidence she claims to have (which of course she does not have), she came up with an insulting and defamatory satire with intent to further her sinister plot.
We say enough is enough! We have been pushed to the wall and we are left with no option than to approach the court of law on this matter with a view to ensuring that Natasha Okpoti-Uduaghan is not only restrained from further ridiculing our revered Leader and Party, but is made to face the full weight of the law.
7. Vote of Confidence In President Bola Tinubu and Sen. Godswill Akpabio:
After a careful analysis of his display of capacity to lead Nigeria to the desired destination, the Caucus hereby unanimously pass a VOTE OF CONFIDENCE in our amiable President, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
The Caucus also pass a VOTE OF CONFIDENCE in the Senate President, HE, Distinguished Sen. Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON, in recognition of his recorded success in leading the National Assembly towards the task of ensuring the actualization of Mr President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
8. Forward Ever:
We remain resolute in our pursuit of the overall interest of the Party and the youth constituency. Together, we shall work towards the continued growth, unity and electoral success of our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) at all levels”.
