…National, Zonal, State excos bicker on dissolution
By our Correspondents
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Akwa Ibom State Chapter, has debunked reports circulating on social media alleging the dissolution of its State Executive Committee (Exco).
At a media briefing held today, Wednesday at the Party Secretariat, Atan Offot, Uyo, the State Chairman, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Aniekan Akpan, dismissed the claims as “false, unconstitutional and politically motivated,” insisting that the present Exco was duly elected at a properly convened state congress for a four-year tenure and remains firmly in office.
Akpan condemned the listing of some elected officials as members of a purported caretaker committee, noting that those officers have already issued disclaimers rejecting such falsehoods.
He further cited a press release by the National Secretary of the PDP, Senator Samuel N. Anyanwu, which clarified that the National Working Committee (NWC) has not held any meeting to sanction the dissolution of the Akwa Ibom State Exco. Anyanwu therefore urged the Akpan-led Exco to continue its lawful work.
The PDP leadership in the state urged members, supporters, and the general public to disregard the rumours and remain confident in the duly elected leadership.
“Our Exco stands firm and unshaken. We remain focused on protecting the integrity of our party and advancing the collective interest of Akwa Ibom people,” Akpan assured.
Nobody Told Us Our Offense – Aniekan Akpan
Meanwhile, the embattled PDP State Chairman, Mr. Aniekan Akpan has insisted that its executive still has up to three years before expiration.
Describing the purported dissolution of his Executive as ‘impunity’, Akpan vowed to resist it.
“There is no room for caretaker committee now because it is not necessary. We still have 3 years to go. Nobody has ever called us to say this exco of 39 people this is what you did. If it is all about going to the airport to receive the National Secretary, it is not even all of us that went there.
So, if you want to punish somebody for going to receive National Secretary or one of leaders, Wike, then you should call those people that went to the airport and ask ‘why did you go to the airport, you committed this offense which is punishable under this or that section of our constitution’ but for you to say the hammer is for everybody in the state exco, that amounts to impunity and we will resist it because this is what has destroyed our party”.
…it’s unfounded, fabricated – South-south Zone
In the same vein, the PDP South-south Zonal Working Committee has distanced itself from the reported dissolution of the Akwa Ibom State Chapter.
In a press statement signed by the Zonal Publicity Secretary, Prince Etim Isong, the party clarified that the statement attributed to the National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Debo Ologunagba, were unfounded, fabricated and therefore should be discarded by the general public.
“The South South Zonal Working Committee of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) wishes to address recent statements attributed to Mr. Debo Ologunagba, the National Publicity Secretary of our Party, regarding the alleged dissolution of the Akwa Ibom and Cross River States Chapter Executives”, the statement noted.
The release further adds “To clarify, the PDP South South Zone categorically declares that Mr. Ologunagba’s claims are unfounded and purely fabrications born from his own imagination. It must be emphasized that the statement on the purported dissolution of constitutionally established Party organs with elected officials within the Zone, without due consultation with the Zonal leadership, highlights not just a critical procedural deficiency but also a breach of established protocols and a disregard for the collective decision-making processes enshrined within the PDP’s constitution.
“The South South Zone of our Party insists that the absence of consultation and approval from the appropriate party organs renders Mr. Ologunagba’s statement regarding the purported dissolution of Akwa Ibom and Cross River States Executives unconstitutional, null, and void, and of no effect whatsoever. To dispel any ambiguity, the PDP South South Zone reaffirms that the duly elected Executives of Akwa Ibom and Cross River States remain in office, fully empowered to discharge their responsibilities as mandated by the PDP constitution.
“Furthermore, the zonal leadership urges all party members, stakeholders, and the general public to dismiss Mr. Ologunagba’s pronouncements as personal opinions that do not reflect the official position of the party’s leadership at both National and Zonal levels. The South South Zone wishes to clarify that it was neither consulted nor in agreement with any changes to the Executives of Akwa Ibom and Cross River States Chapters of our great Party.
It is of great concern that Mr. Ologunagba continues to conduct himself in a manner unbecoming of a representative of a national party. His recent actions clearly position him as an adversary to the South South Zone. Consequently, he is hereby declared persona non grata within the South South Zone. This statement serves as a symbolic yet potent expression of our disapproval of his tactics, which seek to create tension in our zone and destabilize the Party.
We further announce a complete breakdown of trust in the person and office of the National Publicity Secretary of the Party going forward. This action demands that he refrain from all affairs of the zone until the National Working Committee adequately addresses our concerns. In light of these developments, the PDP South South Zone calls upon all Party faithful to maintain composure and unwavering support for the legitimate Executives of the Party in Akwa Ibom and Cross River States respectively. We must work together to prevent any potential disruption or division within our ranks, understanding that only unity and stability in the face of obvious orchestrations by enemies of the zone are needed to secure our success in the end.
The PDP South South Zone reiterates its steadfast commitment to upholding the constitution and ensuring the integrity of the party’s structures, particularly in our zone, with a view to safeguarding its long-term interests and credibility”.
As at the time of this report, the Akwa Ibom State Secretariat of the PDP located at Atan Offot, Uyo was being cordoned off by men of the Nigeria Police.
