…Exercise Peaceful
By Patrick Titus, Uyo
The All Progressives Congress (APC) State Congress in Akwa Ibom State has re-elected Obong Stephen Ntukekpo as the State Chairman of the Party, with a renewed mandate to strengthen unity and intensify grassroots mobilization across the state.
The Congress which took place at Uyo Township Stadium on Tuesday (today), was described as the most peaceful in the history of party congresses in the state.
President of Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who participated in the Congress, attributed the peaceful conduct of the exercise to the inclusive leadership style and broad consultations undertaken by the state governor, Pastor Umo Eno.
Akpabio who described the exercise as unprecedented in the history of party congresses, noted that previous ones were often marred by factional disputes, parallel gatherings and acrimony.
According to a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Anietie Ekong, the Senate President recalled that in the past, party congresses in the state were characterized by deep divisions, with rival groups organizing parallel congresses in different locations, sometimes resulting in confusion over which faction would be recognized by the national leadership.
He further noted that on one occasion, officials sent from Abuja to conduct the congress had to be escorted to the State Office of the Department of State Services (DSS) for safety, adding that in some states across the country, ward and local government congresses had led to violence and loss of lives.
Akpabio, however, said the Akwa Ibom congress stood in sharp contrast, describing the atmosphere as calm and orderly.
“But here we are in Akwa Ibom State conducting the congress as if we are in a church to take communion,” he said, attributing the peace to what he described as the inclusive leadership style and broad consultations undertaken by Governor Eno.
He commended the governor for fostering reconciliation among party members, noting that even former political rivals had closed ranks in the interest of unity.
Akpabio predicted that, future elections in the state would be conducted in a similarly peaceful manner.
In a voice vote at the event, party faithful pledged their support for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu, Senator Akpabio and Governor Eno.
Governor Eno thanked the Senate President for attending the congress, saying his presence added significance to the occasion.
He expressed gratitude for the peaceful conduct of the ward, local government and state congresses, and reaffirmed the state’s support for the administration of President Tinubu.
