BY SOLOMON OKPO
A political pressure group in Esit Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Ward Nine New Era, has condemned the purported suspension of Rt. Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, describing the move as baseless, malicious and without legal standing.
Eyiboh, a former member and spokesperson of the House of Representatives and currently Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, was accused of anti-party activity following his participation in a stakeholders’ meeting held on April 22, 2026, in Esit Eket.
The meeting, convened by local political actors, reportedly mobilised support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Akpabio, Senator Ekong Sampson, Governor Umo Eno, and other National Assembly members.
However, in a statement circulated on social media, one Mr. Johnny Nsoh, claiming to act on behalf of the Ward 9 leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), announced Eyiboh’s suspension over alleged anti-party conduct.
Reacting on Friday, Ward Nine New Era dismissed the action as “indefensible and of no effect,” arguing that Eyiboh’s involvement in a broad-based stakeholders’ engagement could not reasonably be construed as anti-party activity.
In a statement jointly signed by former Ward 9 councillors and APC chieftains, Hon. Okon Bassey Iyanam and Hon. Okon Edoho, the group raised critical questions over the legitimacy of the suspension. They queried whether a community-driven mobilisation in support of APC leaders could be deemed anti-party, and challenged the authority of ward executives to discipline members in the absence of duly constituted party structures.
The group further argued that the APC, as a legal entity, must adhere strictly to its constitution and the principles of fair hearing before taking disciplinary actions against any member.
“Where there are no properly inaugurated ward or chapter executives, the basis for such a suspension becomes questionable,” the statement noted.
Ward Nine New Era ultimately declared the purported suspension null and void, urging party faithful in Esit Eket and beyond to disregard it entirely.
The development underscores growing internal tensions within local party structures, even as political alignments ahead of future elections begin to take shape.
