APC Chairman, Akwa Ibom, explains why crisis in party persists, blames Akpabio group | The Guardian Nigeria News

Ahead of the 2023 elections, the Akwa Ibom State faction leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Austin Ekanem, has provided insight into why the crisis plaguing the party has yet to be resolved.

Ekanem, in a statement made available to The Guardian in Abuja, blamed former Niger Delta Affairs Minister Godswill Akpabio for the problem, saying it could prevent the party from fielding governorship and other candidates for various elected seats in the 2023 elections.

“Let me state here without further ado that Victor Antai/Senator Godswill Akpabio must be held responsible for whatever happens to our great party APC in Akwa Ibom State. If it were not for his arrogance, we would still have a party we call our own,” he said.
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On how the attempted out-of-court settlement between Akpabio and Akpanudoedehe failed, he said: “During one of the hearings of the appeal filed by Akpanudoedehe against the judgment obtained by Stephen Ntokekpo and co. in respect of the APC state congress in Akwa Ibom State at the Court of Appeal, the judges did not sit on time and did not give time to the lawyers of both parties to interact and share their experiences in relation to such matters.

“The legal advisors of both parties agreed that this matter will not help the party at that time especially as the APC primaries were fast approaching. They decided that Akpanudoedehe who was in court should be approached and informed about an out of court settlement.

“Akpanudoedehe’s legal advisor, Solomon Umoh SAN, offered to do the briefing and Akpanudoedehe agreed to them and the court was approached for an out of court settlement. The court immediately agreed and set a date for the parties to return to the court with a resolution. Otherwise, the court would commence the hearing of the appeal.”

He said attorneys for both sides met, set a date and location for the settlement meeting, and each side was to assemble a five-man negotiating team.

He recalled that on the date of the meeting, the Akpanudoedehe group consisting of five persons, led by Archbishop Akpan, appeared. Other members were Godwin Afangide, Akanimo Edet, Dr. Ndem Ndem and Rachel Akpabio.

He said: “On the other hand, the ADF, backed by Akpabio, could not even muster the required five persons, they came with four persons, led by Victor Antai, with Dr. Emaeyak Ukpong, Imo Akpan and Pat Etete Ineme as members. The legal advisor of the teams informed them of the reason why the meeting was called.

“Victor Antai was the first to react as the leader of their team. He arrogantly asked, ‘On whose initiative was this meeting called? He told everyone who was in that meeting that they (his group) were satisfied with the situation as it was.’

He said the meeting would be over in 10 minutes.

“Thus, Akwa Ibom APC lost a golden opportunity for reconciliation because of ego and arrogance.

“I want to ask Antai if he is still satisfied with the current situation,” he added.
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