The Akwa Ibom APC Congresses’ Implementation Committee, set up by Governor Umo Eno, has a huge task of welding the party together as it superintends congresses scheduled between February and March.
BACKGROUND
Finally, the much awaited congresses of the All Progressives Congress APC are at hand. Between February and March 2026, APC faithful will elect new officers to run the party at the ward, local government area, state, zonal and national levels for the next four years.
To coordinate the congresses in Akwa Ibom State, Governor Umo Eno on Friday set up an eight member team styled the Implementation Committee.
TIMETABLE
According to the timetable released by the APC national leadership:
• Ward Congresses: Wednesday, 18 February
• Local Government Area Congresses: Friday, 20 February
• State Congresses: Saturday, 7 March
• Zonal Congresses: Saturday, 21 March
• National Convention: Wednesday, 25 March to Saturday, 28 March
THE EIGHT IMPLEMENTATORS
The Implementation Committee is chaired by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah. The Member representing Ikot Ekpene Obot Akara Essien Udim Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Dr Patrick Umoh, serves as Secretary.
Other members are:
• Mkpisong Frank Archibong, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs
• Mr Nsentip Akpabio, businessman
• Engr Uwem Okoko (Hensek), contractor and politician
• Arc Ubokutom Nyah, Mandate Secretary Commissioner, Federal Capital Territory Administration
• Dr Owoidighe Ekpoattai, Honorary Special Adviser to the Governor and former House of Representatives member
• Chief Uno Etim Uno, Chairman, Urue Offong Oruko Local Government Area
SCOPE OF WORK
Announcing the committee at a New Year meeting with APC stakeholders at Government House, Uyo, Governor Eno charged members to consult widely and work closely with the party to ensure success.
A statement later issued by the APC State leadership and signed by the State Chairman, Obong Stephen Ntukekpo, stated that the committee is to ensure strict adherence to the APC Constitution, promote transparency in all electoral processes, and facilitate effective participation of party members in line with established guidelines.
Members were also directed to work harmoniously with the State Chairman to ensure smooth and hitch free congresses.
HOT SPOTS
Historically, APC congresses in Akwa Ibom have been contentious, often marked by intense rivalry, political ambition, supremacy battles, personality clashes, and ego driven conflicts. In some instances, tensions degenerated into violence.
These underlying interests remain present and cannot simply be wished away. The committee therefore faces an onerous task, particularly at the ward and local government area levels.
Their central challenge is to manage the process in a way that cements the fusion between new APC members who followed the Governor from the PDP in June last year and the party’s old guard.
Pronounced political tensions are expected in at least 19 local government areas, including Uruan, Nsit Ibom, Esit Eket, Okobo, Ikot Ekpene, Ika, and Ikono.
WHERE PEACEFUL WATERS FLOW
Borrowing from Gladys Knight’s classic song Where Peaceful Waters Flow, about 12 local government areas already appear relatively calm ahead of the congresses.
These include Nsit Ubium, Uyo, Ikot Abasi, Oron, and Essien Udim, where undisputed leadership structures exist and party members largely defer to established authority.
THE ENO AKPABIO PARTNERSHIP
The committee’s composition suggests that the political partnership between Governor Umo Eno and Senate President Godswill Akpabio remains intact.
Three members are reportedly Akpabio nominees: his brother Nsentip Akpabio, former campaign manager Ubokutom Nyah, and former aide Dr Patrick Umoh.
Since assuming office in 2023, both leaders have worked together, much to the satisfaction of many Akwa Ibom residents.
THE FIRE LAST TIME
The situation contrasts sharply with the 2021 congresses, which plunged the party into deep crisis. The APC was split between factions loyal to Akpabio, then Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, and Senator John Udoedehe, then Interim National Secretary.
Both factions conducted parallel congresses in October 2021. Initially, Udoedehe’s faction, which controlled most ward and local government executives, appeared victorious and gained recognition from the national leadership.
However, Akpabio’s faction went to court and, in a dramatic political turnaround, won full control of the party. Obong Stephen Ntukekpo emerged as State Chairman in April 2022, defeating Udoedehe’s candidate Augustine Ekanem.
Udoedehe later defected to the NNPP to contest the 2023 election and is now a member of the ADC.
THE 2018 MODEL
In contrast, the May 2018 APC congresses were relatively smooth despite internal divisions. Then, the dominant faction led by Obong Nsima U Ekere, who had governorship ambitions, reached a strategic accommodation with Udoedehe.
This inclusive approach allowed Udoedehe’s supporters to be represented at all levels, including the state executive, where Augustine Ekanem became State Secretary.
The process was so widely accepted that Akpabio, who joined the APC later in August 2018, publicly urged the party leadership to release the full list of executives without delay, despite having no input in their selection.
SUGGESTION
Given his close relationship with Governor Eno and his institutional memory of the party, Nsima Ekere could be consulted as part of the committee’s wide engagement strategy.
The harmonisation formula used in 2018 may provide valuable guidance for navigating the political minefield ahead.
CONCLUSION
The Implementation Committee clearly has its work cut out. All indications suggest that managing the forthcoming APC congresses in Akwa Ibom will be anything but a tea party.
