Ini Billie, Uyo
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State has denied claims that the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Umana Okon Umana has been suspended from the party for anti-party activities.
A statement signed on Wednesday, 25 January 2023 by the APC’s State Chairman, Mr Stephen Ntukekpo, and made available to our correspondent in Uyo, the congress described the letter as ‘fake’ and the originators as ‘unknown’.
In the suspension letter dated December 14, 2022, and signed by Johnson Udo and Monday John as Chairman and Secretary respectively of the Nsit Ubium Chapter of the APC, it accused Umana of being the major financier of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the local government area.
“Your suspension is due to your failure, after consistent invitation, to appear before the party and answer to the anti-party allegation levelled against you.
“Note that you have been accused of being a major financier of the main opposition party, (the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the local government.
“You have been sponsoring the parallel party executive in the Chapter and Wards of the local government. Furthermore, you have caused disharmony in the party in an attempt to malign the party in the state.
“You are accused of sponsoring dubious cases in court against the official candidate of the party with a view to weakening the party in favour of the People’s Democratic Party Governorship Candidate who is your friend and kinsman,” the letter stated.
However, the APC Chairman said the Minister was never suspended by the party in his ward, chapter or the state, and urged the public and members of the party to disregard the information as false and misleading.
“Ordinarily, I would not have wasted time responding to this unholy lie peddled by some elements who seek to attract attention but not for the fact that, the honourable minister is a true party man and a great supporter of a unified party in the state.
“I hereby state with unequivocal authority that the honourable minister was never and has never been suspended from the party in his ward, chapter or the state.
“The general public and members of our great party should disregard the information as it is a blatant lie and misleading,” he stated.