Three chairmen have emerged from the three factions of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Akwa Ibom State at the just concluded congress of the party held on Saturday, October 16, 2021.
A parallel congress held at different locations by different factions in the party.
The three factions in the state included those of the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, those of the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Ita Enang, and those of National Secretary of the Caretaker Committee, Senator John Akpanudoedehe.
Steve Ntukekpo emerged as chairman from Senator Godswill Akpabio’s group, Mr. Austin Ekanem emerged as chairman from Senator John Akpanudoedehe’s faction, while Mr. Douglass Pepple was elected for Senator Ita Enang’s group.
It was gathered from unconfirmed sources that the group loyal to Bishop Sam Akpan, an APC chieftain in the State held its separate congress, bringing the number of congresses in the State to four.
Meanwhile, the congress committee from Abuja, led by Hon Sheriff Banki monitored the Congress held by Akpanudoedehe’s faction only.
Senator Akpabio and Senator Enang, it was learnt, had visited the congress venue of Akpanudoedehe’s camp where they also addressed the congress committee from Abuja.
Senator Enang, who spoke at a congress held in Kara event centre Uyo, had assured that the different congresses would eventually work for the interest of the party, stressing that people always ‘disagree to agree.’
Also, Senator Akpabio, in his remarks reassured that all the differences rocking the party would be addressed in a roundtable, urging the party faithfuls to remain resolute and work towards the victory of the party in 2023 general elections in the state
“I want you not to look at the disagreement of the elders, because every war whether first world war or second world war was settled at the round table and many of you will not be there when the war will be settled.
“But one thing is sure, I brought the message of peace. Now you are wrestling power from a sitting government don’t take it for granted, it’s not a tea party, no single group can do it alone, we must do it together, but one thing we can resolve is, never again shall we be in opposition in 2023,” Akpabio said.
Meanwhile, it was gathered that the different factions apart from that of Senator Akpan Udoedeghe later met in the night possibly to harmonise their differences.
