Akpabio’s aide suspended
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Esit Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State has suspended Eseme Eyiboh, media aide to the Senate President.
He was suspended following a disagreement over a stakeholders’ meeting he organized without clearance from party leaders in the area.
The decision was taken by executives of Ward 9 and communicated in a letter dated April 22, which was sent through the local chapter chairman to the state leadership.
The action came shortly after the party’s chapter chairman in Esit Eket, Urua Akpe, had warned that sanctions could be applied against individuals involved in holding such a meeting without approval.
In the letter, the ward executives said the suspension was based on actions they described as going against the party’s unity and progress.
They listed issues such as alleged anti-party conduct, failure to recognise ward executives, and actions they believe created division within the party. The letter was signed by 21 local party officials and stated that the suspension would remain until further direction is given by higher authorities.
The controversy is linked to a stakeholders’ meeting held on Wednesday in Esit Eket, which was organised by Mr Eyiboh and attended by political figures and community leaders.
Despite earlier warnings from the party leadership, the meeting went ahead and produced political decisions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
At the gathering, participants declared support for President Bola Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio to continue in office. They also backed Senator Ekong Sampson and House of Representatives member Okpolupm Etteh, pointing to the need for continuity in leadership.
Reacting to his suspension, Mr Eyiboh rejected the action, arguing that the gathering was not a formal party meeting and did not require approval from party officials.
He maintained that there is a clear difference between party meetings and community stakeholders’ gatherings, insisting that the latter falls outside the control of party executives.
He also questioned the authority of local party leaders over such meetings, asking whether they have any role in deciding how community stakeholders come together.
