Rejig your political agenda for 2023 APC leaders warn his members

Stalwarts of All Progressive Congress [APC] in Akwa Ibom State have urged its members to call their media aides to order as some of their publications on social media were bringing the image of the party to disrepute in the state.

Again, they are worried by the actions of some of his members who are still bitter after the 2019 general elections, hence resorting to smear the reputations of party leaders in the state, thereby calling on such persons to sheath their sword for a better fortune for the party in 2023.

This was contained in a press statement signed by Dr. Efiong Etok, the immediate past secretary of the party in the state and the pioneer University of Akwa Ibom state council member, Mrs. Glory Effiong, respectively and made available to newsmen in the state yesterday.

The leaders of the party frowned at the media attacks always targeted at the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, by agents of aggrieved APC members in the state, with the aim of embarrassing the minister.

“We have read the various publications in the social media in which the writers have tried to denigrate the Minister and assail his name with unfounded allegations and unsubstantiated stories. We insist that these allegations are mere fabrications politically motivated and designed to humiliate the Minister out of office.

“The recent confirmation by Obong Nsima Ekere, the former MD of NDDC, that it was not Senator Akpabio that brought RODNAB Construction Company to the NDDC is quite telling. Rather, according to Mr Ekere, it was under his tenure as the MD of NDDC that RODNAB Construction was contracted by the Commission and paid for constructing the headquarter project. Mr. Ekere’s honest admission completely discounts the false narratives that have been published on this matter against Senator Akpabio”, the statement said.

They advised the leadership of the party in the state to redouble their efforts for better performance in 2023 elections instead of fighting among themselves.

“We will like to advise Akwa Ibom State Chapter of our Party, APC, that what we make of the next three years will have the most profound impact on the well being and fortunes of our party in the 2023 elections. Do we spend our time biting at one another or do we come together and build a strong platform?

“Whether you like it or not, Senator Akpabio is the leader of the Party in the state by virtue of his ministerial position; just like Timipreh Sylva, Rotimi Amaechi or Senator Ovie Omo-Agege are leaders of the Party in their own state. Akpabio will never contest for any position in Akwa Ibom again, having been a governor for eight years. So it amounts to fruitless dissipation of energy to claw at him instead of minding and spending time to rejig your own political agenda.

“It is therefore in our own interest as a party to bury our differences, do away with bitterness and grudges and rally around the Party leader and the executives of the Party to build the party. Being the only minister we have from our state, and the most ranking political leader from Akwa Ibom, it is difficult to contemplate any political configuration in the state without Akpabio’s input.

“In addition, as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, he has the potential to contribute enormously to the purse of the Party and provide business opportunities for its members. We deem it very unwise and politically inexpedient to join hands with outsiders to try to bring him down. Who will benefit from his downfall? Who will benefit if Akwa Ibom loses this slot? Is there any guarantee that an Akwa Ibom person will replace him in the Niger Delta Ministry if, God forbid, the President moves him away? Is there any guarantee that such a replacement would even come from within our Party? Was Senator Udoma picked from APC in 2015? Or it does not matter even if we lose out completely, provided Akpabio is out?

“We will like to conclude by calling on one of our leaders and governorship aspirants to call his media aide to order. This particular aide has persistently made flagrant and irresponsible accusations against the Honourable Minister. He has never offered any proof or evidence to back up his allegations. We ask the said aide to approach the EFCC or the ICPC if he has any evidence of wrong doings against the minister. But to resort to making outlandish, putrefied and unsubstantiated allegations in the social media is an act of bitterness and anti Party activity”, the statement added.