Independence Day: APC chief asks Nigerians to support party

Akpan Umoh, Uyo

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom, Mr Eseme Eyiboh, has called on all members and lovers of the party to keep supporting APC to ensure victory in the 2023 general elections.

Eyiboh, who is also a candidate for Eket Federal Constituency in the 2023 general election said this during a media interaction in Uyo on Saturday, assuring that the APC would win the governorship election in the state come next year.

He, however, said that Akwa Ibom people should not expect the publication of the name of Mr Akanimo Udofia, by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the party’s gubernatorial flagbearer on October 4, as a judgement on the case would be delivered on Oct.6.

Eyiboh recalls that Sen. Godswill Akpabio went to court to challenge INEC and subsequently got a judgement, compelling the umpire to publish his name, same is applicable to Udofia, whose case, judgement would be delivered on Oct.6. 

He expressed displeasure that the then Resident Electoral Commissioner in Akwa Ibom, Mr Mike Igini, became a different umpire from the national INEC.

“The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom has a candidate, Mr Akanimo Udofia, judgement on his case will be delivered on Oct.6 and by the grace of God he will win and his name will be published by INEC.

“INEC in Akwa Ibom became a different umpire, with a self-imposed mandate. It was not the duty of a political party to compel INEC to go and observe the party’s primaries. The party had fulfilled its part of the bargain, by giving appropriate notification to the commission.

“The court has stated that indeed, Akpabio was duly elected and should be so recognized. We are expecting a court judgement on October 6th in the case between Akan Udofia and INEC. 

“I know that the naysayers would say that APC has no guber candidate. Just two days after the publication, we shall know indeed, whether the court would uphold or contradict itself on both Akpabio and Udofia’s cases, which are similar,” Eyiboh said.

Eyiboh, who recounted his legislative scorecard during his first term at the House of Representatives said that legislative business is for those that were well vested with experience.

He assured that if elected in 2023 into the National Assembly, he will introduce innovations that would bring the people closer, stressing that the country should promote institutions, not the people.