Fresh Crisis Rocks Akwa Ibom APC As State Chairman Faces Allegations Of Power Abuse, Aspirants Demand Inclusion

A fresh wave of crisis has hit the Akwa Ibom State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as key stakeholders accuse the State Chairman, Stephen Ntukekpo, of hijacking the party structure and running it like a private business.

A member of the State Working Committee (SWC), who spoke to our correspondent under anonymity, revealed that the State Chairman has allegedly usurped the powers of other party officials.

“He takes decisions unilaterally, signs press statements in place of the Publicity Secretary, handpicks stakeholders without due consultations, and compiles names for political appointments alone,” the source alleged.

Further allegations suggest the Chairman diverts funds allocated for the day-to-day running of the party, leaving other executives in the dark about financial transactions.

In a related development, several party aspirants and candidates, particularly those from the 2019 and 2023 elections, claim they have been deliberately sidelined despite their immense contributions and are now demanding inclusion and recognition in party affairs.

A check revealed that the forum comprises all aspirants who contested from Governorship to Councilorship levels.

According to Dr. Christopher Enoch, the Coordinator of the Forum of APC Aspirants and Candidates, members of the forum have made a collective demand for inclusion, stressing that they deserve a seat at the table after investing heavily in the party.

He disclosed that aspirants at all levels had collectively spent over ₦100 billion on the party through direct purchase of nomination and expression of interest forms yet remain neglected.

“Despite all our efforts and financial sacrifices, we are not consulted or invited to meetings. This level of exclusion is unacceptable,” Dr. Enoch lamented.

One 2023 aspirant, who asked not to be named, described the current leadership style as “gangsteric and divisive,” noting that many original APC members feel completely cut off since the defection of the governor.

Independent checks by our editorial team indicate that nearly all members of the pre-defection APC bloc are calling for greater inclusion and representation in party leadership and decision-making.

Sources close to the stakeholders suggest that these coordinated demands are intended as a wake-up call to both the governor and the national leadership of the party.

What This Means for APC in Akwa Ibom

As the 2027 general elections approach, analysts warn that unresolved internal discontent could weaken the party’s unity and reduce its electoral prospects in the state. If not swiftly addressed, the demand for inclusion by aspirants and other loyal members could escalate tensions, risking mass defections or the emergence of splinter factions within the APC.