UYO, A deepening rift has emerged within the Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the state leadership has rejected the purported dissolution of its executive council by a factional National Working Committee (NWC).
On Tuesday, the NWC announced the dissolution of the Elder Aniekan S. Akpan-led State Executive Committee and named a caretaker committee to take charge of the party’s affairs in the state. However, the Akwa Ibom PDP swiftly dismissed the move, calling it unconstitutional and lacking legal standing.
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 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.
