By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo In a twist of political development in Akwa Ibom State, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democrati
By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
In a twist of political development in Akwa Ibom State, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has overruled Tuesday’s resolution that sacked Aniekan Akpan’s Led-Exco of the party in the state.
Recalled that on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, the National Working Committee of PDP through a press release signed by its Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, announced the dissolution of Akwa Ibom Exco and subsequent constitution of a 31-member Caretaker Committee with Barrister Igwat Umoren as the Chairman.
The Caretaker Committee according to the release was expected to serve for three months, pending new state congresses.
“The National Working Committee (NWC) of our Party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has at its meeting yesterday, (Tuesday, September 30th, 2025,) pursuant to its powers under the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) approved the dissolution of the Akwa State Executive of the Party.
“Consequently, the NWC has approved the composition of a Caretaker Committee to run the affairs of the State’s Chapter of the Party effective from Tuesday, September 30th, 2025 for a period not exceeding 3 months, or until such a time a new State Executive Committee will be elected in the state.
“The NWC calls on all leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members of the Party in Akwa Ibom State to remain united and continue to work together for the progress of our Party.” Hon. Debo Ologunagba signed press release said.
Although no reason was stated for the dissolution and appointment of Caretaker Committee but fillers in the state alleged anti-party activities by members of the dissolved Exco, an action they reasoned has undermined the growth of the PDP in the state as well as its standing to win 2027 general elections.
But while the news made waves in the public space, the party’s National Executive Committee intercepted and described the actions by the National Working Committee as illegal, null and void ab-initio.
The PDP National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu in a swift reaction, said that the Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba lacked such powers to implement decisions reached by the NWC of the party.
According to the statement addressed to the sacked Aniekan Akpan ( state chairman), Sen. Samuel Anyanwu stated, “My attention has been drawn to the purported press release by the National Publicity Secretary of our party announcing dissolution of the state working committee of Akwa Ibom State.
“For purposes of clarity, that press release should be discountenanced because there was no formal sitting of the National Working Committee in which such decision was taken.
“It is not in the official capacity and duties of the National Publicity Secretary to take actions relating to the implementation of the decisions of the National Working Committee of our great party, as a result, the purported press release is null and void and of no effect. The state working committee of the PDP Akwa Ibom state stands undissolved.
“Please consider this letter as the rightful authority for you to continue in your duties as provided in the PDP constitution 2017 as amended.”
Also condemning the dissolution of Aniekan Akpan’s Led-Exco is Hon. Uyoata Friday Asam-Eyo, National Ex-Officio (South South Zone) and member of the National Executive Committee (NEC), upholding Akpan’s-led team as the only valid and legitimate leadership of the party in the state until 2028.
In his statement signed by Hon Asam-Eyo described the action of the Ambassador Umar Damagum-led factional National Working Committee (NWC) as unconstitutional, illegal, and incapable of standing the test of time.
Asam-Eyo recalled that the Aniekan Akpan-led executive was democratically elected at the 2024 State Congress, and therefore has a four-year mandate that runs till 2028.
He explained that under the PDP constitution, the NWC is accountable to the NEC, and only the NEC has the authority to dissolve a State Executive Council and, if necessary, appoint a caretaker committee.
Meanwhile, the re-instored PDP State Chairman, Akpan, rising from an emergency meeting of his executive members held yesterday, October 1, 2025 at the Party Secretariat in Uyo, said he remained the authentic chairman of the party in the state.
Akpan urged Party members and the public to disregard the sack notice, insisting that the PDP’s NWC had not properly sat to make such a decision.
One elected State Exco member whose name appeared on the list of the newly announced Caretaker Committee, Barrister Ekpong Edem, rejected the appointment, describing it as “illegal.”
He pledged his loyalty to the Aniekan Akpan leadership, where he currently serves as Senatorial Vice Chairman.
The State Executive Committee therefore passed a vote of confidence on Aniekan Akpan.
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