APC Ward Executives Suspend Senate President’s Aide, Eseme Eyiboh, for Unapproved Meeting

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Esit Eket Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, has suspended its party member, Eseme Eyiboh, who also serves as the media aide to the Senate President. The suspension stems from allegations of convening a stakeholders' meeting without obtaining the necessary approval from the local party leadership.

This action by the Ward 9 executives of the APC follows closely on the heels of a threat issued by the Esit Eket chapter chairperson, Urua Akpe, who had indicated that sanctions would be imposed on Mr. Eyiboh and other political figures if they proceeded with the meeting without authorization.

In a formal letter dated April 22 and directed to the state chairman through the chapter chairman, the ward executives cited alleged anti-party conduct as the basis for their decision. The communication, which was shared on Facebook, detailed that the suspension was a consequence of actions deemed detrimental to the party's unity and progress, including alleged negligence, anti-party activities, failure to acknowledge ward executives, attacks on party officials, and fostering division.

The ward executives, identified as 21 APC local leaders, stated in their resolution that Mr. Eyiboh has been suspended pending further guidance from higher party authorities.

The suspension is directly linked to a stakeholders' meeting that Mr. Eyiboh hosted on a Wednesday. This gathering included political leaders and prominent community members from Esit Eket. Significantly, this event proceeded despite prior warnings from Mr. Akpe, the party chapter chairman, that any such meeting lacking official party endorsement would face punitive measures.

Those who had been warned alongside Mr. Eyiboh included Bassey Dan-Abia, a former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission; Usoro Akpanusoh, a former member of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly; and Ini Adiakpan, a former commissioner for women affairs.

During the meeting, participants expressed their endorsement for President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid and that of Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Support was also voiced for Senator Ekong Sampson and House of Representatives member Okpolupm Etteh, with attendees emphasizing the importance of leadership continuity.

Mr. Dan-Abia characterized the meeting as a community-driven initiative focused on advancing Esit Eket and improving its development trajectory. He stressed the need for attendees to prioritize the welfare and future of their community.

Mr. Eyiboh, addressing the assembly, called for greater transparency in the management of funds allocated under the Petroleum Industry Act. He urged vigilance and accountability, emphasizing that the platform allows citizens to voice concerns and exercise their fundamental rights.

Several other speakers, including former Speaker of the Akwa Ibom Assembly, Bassey Essien, and former lawmaker Mr. Akpanusoh, highlighted the significance of zoning, inclusivity, and broad engagement for maintaining political stability.

However, Mr. Eyiboh has contested the grounds for his suspension, asserting that the convened gathering was not an official party meeting and thus did not fall under the purview of party officials for approval.

"He doesn’t need to approve the meeting of Esit Eket stakeholders. There are two things there. Maybe, his level of ignorance. If we’re convening a party meeting he’s the person to convene the meeting based on the APC guidelines but not the stakeholders meeting," Mr. Eyiboh stated in an interaction with this newspaper on Thursday.

Following the announcement of his suspension, Mr. Eyiboh questioned the authority of party executives over such community-focused gatherings, asking if party executives had any jurisdiction over community stakeholders.

The root of this dispute appears connected to earlier statements made by Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State. He had previously cautioned that no individual should organize APC meetings at either the state or local government level without the consent of the respective party chairmen. However, the governor had explicitly excluded himself and Mr. Akpabio from this directive, a stance that may have influenced the local chapter leadership's position.

When approached for comment, the APC spokesperson in Akwa Ibom State, Patrick Edeke, indicated that the party leadership would formally address the situation. He advised PREMIUM TIMES to await the party's official decision, suggesting that the suspension at the ward level might not be the final determination.