Peace returns to Essien Udim APC

The All Progressives  Congress, APC, State House of Assembly candidate, Mrs. Alice Monday Thompson, met with all party faithful and constituents on Wednesday August 5, 2015 in Ikot Ekpene, to report progress on the continuing Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Elections Tribunal in the federal capital territory, Abuja.  

Thompson disclosed that proceedings at the tribunal were so far smooth, expressing confidence in God and the Judiciary. She also intimated them that the truth will be established and her victory certain, appealing to APC faithful to be ready to mobilize electorates to vote the party should there be rerun elections.  

The meeting, which had in attendance members of the Elders Council, an invigorated chapter executive as well as all ward chairmen, afforded Mrs. Thompson opportunity to express her gratitude to the Almighty God for protection and guidance all through her tortuous journey to political power and for keeping APC faithful from harm’s way despite severe persecution, intimidation and harassment by the opposition party, PDP.

She also commended the party for the unflinching support given her since she decided to contest the State House of Assembly seat for Essien Udim State Constituency, adding that no life was lost despite several attempts made on lives of APC faithful by hoodlums believed to be working for the PDP. 

“APC faithful have remained consistent with their resolution to embrace and effect change in Essien Udim even when INEC made uncommon alliance and declarations in the face of massive electoral fraud, violence and intimidation of voters”. 

While presenting the substantive acting chapter chairman of Essien Udim APC, Mr. Usen Udo Usoro to the gathering, the House of Assembly candidate, urged all to find a common ground to resolve lingering crisis rocking the leadership of Essien Udim Chapter of APC and reconcile to forge ahead.   

Meanwhile, drawn out misgivings and wrangling in Essien Udim Chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, have been resolved at last. This was made known at the meeting with the APC State House of Assembly Candidate, where in their separate speeches, ward chairmen, chapter executives and elders acknowledged the dire consequences of protracted dissention and factions within their ranks and took deliberate action to resolve it as a family. 

It was gathered that the main source of squabbling and polarization was that after the suspension of former Chapter Chairman of APC in Essien Udim, Mr. Monday Jackson, a faction of the party had erroneously and without consulting the party or following due process presented Pastor Kaye Obong, the Ukana West Ward 1 Chairman to the State Chairman, Dr. Amadu Attai, for adoption as the acting Chapter Chairman. 

Furthermore, it was disclosed that state chairman was made to believe that  suspended chapter chairman had went away with all chapter executives, whereas all the remaining 25 chapter executives were intact and loyal to the party. Subsequent unfair treatment and vilification of these loyal party men generated ill feelings and bad blood, until elders stepped in to resolve the deteriorating situation. 

Eventually, the entire 25 chapter executives were summoned, they presented their grievance and in accordance with the party constitution also presented their resolutions, which copies were sent to the party hierarchy at the state level.   Additionally, the chapter executives had resolved to present their Chapter Vice Chairman, Mr. Usen Udo Usoro as the acting Chapter Chairman in line with the APC constitution. 

Consequently, a resolution was made to reconcile all factions and to focus on repositioning the party for greater performance that will yield victory at elections. 

Furthermore, Hon. Emmanuel Isidore Udoh, a former council secretary, moved a motion that the Elders Council should have a leader to coordinate the council and work with chapter officers to sustain current momentum of the party in Essien Udim. He then nominated Hon. Barrister Martins Umanah, JP, a former council chairman and state ALGON chairman, to lead the caucus. This motion was seconded by Rev. Ubon Usoro and there was not counter motion. 

Mrs. Thompson therefore presented Hon. Umanah to the house and suggested that the chairman of ward chairmen, Mr. Ikpaetor, the chapter woman leader and the youth leader be co-opted into elders’ council. This suggestion was also ratified by the house.