The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Akwa Ibom Chapter has hit political Cul-de-sac following the dissolution and constitution of a caretaker Committee to man the party in the state.
The party that is yet to recover from the shock exit of Akwa Ibom Governor, Pastor Umo Eno from the party to All Progressives Congress (APC) is sunk in a deepening rift.
It is feared that in the coming days, the rift may brew more crisis leading to forceful take-over and occupation of the party’s secretariat at Atan Offot in Uyo Local Government Area by members of any faction.
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Straightnews online learnt reliably that the party’s State Working Committee (SWC) led by Rt. Hon. Aniekan Akpan is alleged to have lost faith with other key PDP stakeholders piloted by the immediate past Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel following his seeming romance with Governor Eno.
One of the allegations is Akpan’s regular attendance at major state functions particularly the visit of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike accompanied by the PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu to commission some roads in the state last week deepened the crisis of confidence in the party’s fold.
Recall that on September 30, 2025 Hon. Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary of the party, issued a Press Statement entitled: PDP Dissolves Akwa Ibom State Exco, Constitutes Caretaker Committee for Chapter.
‘‘The National Working Committee (NWC) of our great Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has at its meeting today, Tuesday, September 30th, 2025, pursuant to its powers under the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) approved the dissolution of the Akwa State Executive of the Party.
‘‘Consequently, the NWC approved the composition of a Caretaker Committee to run the affairs of the Akwa Ibom State Chapter of our Party from today, Tuesday, September 30th, 2025 for a period not exceeding 3 months, or until such a time a new State Executive Committee will be elected in the State,’’ the statement stated.
According to it, ‘‘The members of the Akwa Ibom State PDP Caretaker Committee are Igwat Umoren – Chairman, Harrison Ekpo – Deputy Chairman, Borono Bassey – Secretary, Bar. Ewa Okpo – Publicity Secretary, Emman Mbong – Organizing Secretary, Hon. Aniekan Asuquo – Youth Leader, Mary Silvia Abara – Woman Leader, and Barr. Enoch Enoch – Legal Adviser.
Members included Hon. Aniebiet Cornelius, Udim Peters, Mrs. Ayanime Obot, Hon. Ofon Michael, Esther Bassey Effiong, Hon. David Umanah, Usenmfon Ibanga, Unwana Assam, Obong Francis Akpan Ogbuji, Ndianabasi Udom, Emibana Ubolum, Hon. Gregory Ekpo Etim, and Iberedem Asamamnyie.
Other members are Barr. Mfom Ben, Iniobong Ukwak, Hon. Emmanuel Umah, Ekaette Philips, Effiong Asuquo Bassey, Barr. Ekpong Edem, Ime Matthew Okwong, Kate Atabia, David Ubanga and Ukoette Etukudo Ukoette.
‘‘The NWC calls on all leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members of our Party in Akwa Ibom State to remain united and continue to work together for the progress of the Party,’’ the statement added.
However, the PDP National Secretary, Sen. Anyanwu wrote sacked Akwa Ibom State Party Chairman Aniekan Akpan, saying the dissolution was done in bad taste.
The Akwa Ibom PDP State Working Committee led by Elder Akpan swiftly dismissed the move, calling it unconstitutional and lacking legal standing.
The Party countered NWC’s decision and rejected the purported dissolution of its executive council by a factional National Working Committee (NWC).
In a strongly worded statement signed by Hon. Uyoata Friday Asam-Eyo, National Ex-Officio (South South) and member of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), the state leadership insisted that only the NEC holds the constitutional authority to dissolve any state executive body.
“Only the NEC, not the NWC, has the constitutional authority to dissolve a State Executive Committee and appoint a caretaker. The purported dissolution announced from Wadata Plaza is therefore unlawful and cannot stand the test of time,” the statement read.
The Akwa Ibom PDP EXCO maintained that its current executive was duly elected in 2024 and remains in office with a valid tenure running until 2028.
The party also issued a warning to members of the newly announced caretaker committee, advising them to steer clear of the party secretariat at Atan Offot in Uyo, and urged party faithful across the state to remain loyal to the Aniekan Akpan-led leadership.
The unfolding drama adds to the internal challenges facing the PDP at both state and national levels, raising concerns about party unity ahead of future elections in the state.
Reacting, the PDP in Akwa Ibom State has declared a recent wave of misinformation circulating on social media platforms as false, particularly on Facebook, claiming the dissolution of our duly elected State Executive Committee (Exco). We categorically state that these reports are not only false but also unconstitutional.
A statement signed by Rt. Hon. (Elder) Aniekan Akpan, State Chairman, PDP, Akwa Ibom State declared ‘‘As a party governed by the rule of law and our constitution, our State Exco was elected in a well-constituted state congress for a fixed term of four (4) years. Any attempt to undermine this democratic process through fabricated reports and political jobbery will not be tolerated.
‘‘Notably, some of our elected state party Exco members have been falsely listed as members of an acclaimed caretaker committee. These individuals have already issued a press release distancing themselves from such falsehoods, highlighting the desperation and recklessness of these political bandits.’’
According to the statement, ‘‘Furthermore, we have it on good authority that the National Working Committee (NWC) of our party did not convene any formal sitting to take such a decision. The National Secretary of the PDP, Sen. Samuel N. Anyanwu, has issued a press release discountenancing such publications, affirming that no formal sitting of the NWC was held to sanction the dissolution of our State Exco.
‘‘In light of this, we urge our members, supporters, and the general public to disregard these false reports and remain committed to the lawful leadership of our party in Akwa Ibom State. The State Exco stands firm, and we will continue to work towards advancing the interests of our great party and the people of Akwa Ibom State.
‘‘We appreciate the vigilance of our members and supporters in reporting these falsehoods and assure them that we will take all necessary steps to protect the integrity of our party’s structures.’’
