As part of a comprehensive response mechanism to contain the ravaging Coronavirus pandemic in the country, the Akwa Ibom Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has postponed its State Congress.
The congress earlier slated for Tuesday, March 24, 2020, at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo also known as the Nest of Champions would have hosted more than 2,000 delegates.
A press release signed by Comrade Ini Ememobong, the State Publicity Secretary of the party announced that the National Working Committee and Independent National Electoral Commission have suspended political activities following the pandemic scare.
“While we are yet to record any confirmed case in our state, we are duty-bound to obey the directive of our NWC and INEC.
“To this end, the State Chairman of our party and Chairman State Congresses Coordinating Committee, Obong Paul Ekpo has directed that the congress be hereby postponed till further notice,” the release says.
Meanwhile, the party had conducted and concluded the ward and local government chapter congresses in the state.
With the expected exit of Ekpo, Udo Ekpenyong, the outgoing Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs is tipped to become the next state chairman of the party.
Unconfirmed report had it that Ekpenyong sent a letter of resignation from the State Executive Council to Governor Udom Emmanuel last Friday, though the governor is yet to approve it.
Before now, Ekpenyong, a political strategist, had consulted the PDP stakeholders of Ukanafun on his aspiration to become the state chairman of the party.
A teacher-turned politician, he had served as a Chairman of Ukanafun; Special Adviser on Legislative and Political Affairs to ex-governor Victor Attah and the chairman of Ex-Officio members of PDP in the country.
An insider confided in Straightnews that most key office holders in the outgoing state Exco will maintain their offices as a means of shoring up the party’s victory in the forthcoming elections in the state.
