The Akwa Ibom State Chairman of the APC, Obong Stephen Ntukekpo, has been sworn in by the New National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu.
The event on Monday at the National Headquarters of the Party in Abuja was witnessed by the National Secretary of the Party, Otunba Iyiola Omisore, and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC).
The National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, congratulated The Akwa Ibom State Chairman and urged him to demonstrate the Party’s respect for the rule of law as a law-abiding organization.
He charged him to return home and reunite the members of the party so as to grow the party and lead it to victory in all elections.
He assured him of the National Headquarters support.
Senator Adamu said no group has lost out and no group has won because we are one united political family.
He acknowledged that Akwa Ibom State has proven men, that are led by Senator Godswill Akpabio, who he said, is a man of integrity.
He remarked that Senator Akpabio can bring everyone together.
Receiving the Chairman and some members of his Exco in his office, Leader of the party in the state and incumbent Minister, Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, thanked President Muhamadu Buhari and the leadership of the party for standing firm and ensuring that the rule of law prevails in the running of the party.
In his remarks, the former governor of Akwa Ibom State gave a chronological description of how the insistence of some party leaders and stakeholders, that the right thing be done in the running of the party in the state, led to the recognition of Ntukekpo as the authentic Chairman of the party.
According to him, “The office of the Chairman shouldn’t have been given to anybody from Uyo Senatorial District, because the Governorship ticket of the Party in 2023 is zoned to Uyo.
He stated that he conferred with some leaders of the party and expressed happiness that someone from Eket Senatorial district emerged the chairman of the party.
Speaking further, Akpabio noted that, “for the party to have harmony in the State and to perform creditably and face the opposition with strength in 2023, there was the need to give the Chairmanship to another district, so that the governorship can come from Uyo Senatorial District.
The Former Senate Minority Leader admonished the Chairman to see his victory as the handiwork of God and should therefore, move immediately into uniting the party.
He assured that the APC will face the opposition, defeat them and take over the reins of the leadership of Akwa Ibom State.
In his speech, Ntukekpo thanked Akpabio and other members of the party who stood firmly behind him and the party, when the goings were tough.
It is recalled that Ntukekpo’s swearing-in came days after the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, dismissed an appeal by the defunct CECPC and affirmed the Federal High Court ruling that was declared in favour of Obong Stephen Ntukekpo.
