Udom’s Aide blows hot * Says there is no CNPP in Akwa Ibom

* Current exco is illegal * We were duly elected - Martins Inyang 

 

BY EMMANUEL AKPAN

The Special Adviser, Bureau of Political and Legislative Affairs to Governor Udom Emmanuel, Hon. Anietie Etuk has said that there is no legally constituted Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) in Akwa Ibom State, adding the current executive of CNPP led by Engr. Martins Inyang is illegal.

Anietie Etuk stated this during a chat with THE INK last week in his office along 4 lanes, Uyo. He said there is no properly CNPP exco in the State, and that the current exco of CNPP is not recognized by the State Government.     
He informed THE INK reporter that very soon, CNPP in the State will conduct her election which according to him would be supervised by the National officers of CNPP. 

In his words, “The election will hold any moment from now. The National officers will come and conduct the election. Engr. Martins Inyang led executive are just holding brief for a new exco to be constituted. Definitely, there would be election; we cannot allow people to parade themselves illegally as CNPP exco.  But Martins Inyang may become the chairman, after the election must have been conducted and he emerge the winner, then we will recognize him and give him the necessary backings.” He noted.

The Political Adviser used the opportunity to debunk rumour making the rounds that the leadership of CNPP recently boycotted a meeting with him, saying that the said meeting which took place in his office went well and it was well attended by chairmen of other political parties. “Out of 26 registered political parties, 16 chairmen of various political parties were in attendance.”    

Etuk however disclosed that one of the major agendas of the said meeting was how to conduct CNPP election as soon as possible which according to him all the party chairmen contributed. “We only told them to go back and put their house in order, because we want a well constituted exco of CNPP. Martins Inyang cannot claim that he is the CNPP Chairman, if he says so; can he tell us when the election took place? Who supervised the election? The government of Akwa Ibom would not want anybody to be parading themselves around illegally as exco of CNPP State.”

The Special Adviser stressed that his primary duty is to relate with other political parties on behalf of the State Governor, Deacon Udom Emmanuel, and therefore he is aware that there is no properly constituted CNPP exco in the State.      

When Engr. Martins Inyang was contacted on phone, he said he is the authentic State chairman of CNPP and that election was conducted last year which he emerged winner. He accused Anietie Etuk of trying to use his office to frustrate other political parties in the State. 

According to Martins Inyang, “He (Anietie Etuk) wants to use his office to frustrate other political parties in the State. That he is the SA today, tomorrow another person will also seat in that office. What we are fighting for is that if there is a re-run election in the State, we must ensure that all votes’ counts. We will always criticise constructively where we need to criticise. We are saying that democracy must work in Akwa Ibom State.”

Martins Inyang challenged Anietie Etuk to state clearly where his office has a role to play in the affairs of CNPP. “Let him state where he has a role to play in the affairs of CNPP. Anietie Etuk should spell out those guidelines from the constitution that connects or relate CNPP with his office, less than that, he has no right to counter, comment or direct political parties in the State.” Inyang maintained.         

Meanwhile, a letter of approval to reconstitute CNPP exco in Akwa Ibom State was made available to THE INK by the State Secretary of CNPP, Elder Andy Oduobuk. The letter, dated 29th October, 2015 which was signed by the Secretary General of CNPP, Chief Willy Ezugwu, titled ‘Approval of the Reconstituted Executive Council of CNPP in Akwa Ibom State’, reads in parts “I am directed by the National Chairman of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), Alh. Balarabe Musa to accord recognition to and approve the reconstituted executive council of the conference in Akwa Ibom State. The Secretary General has been mandated for the inauguration of your newly constituted State exco. The team are recognized to run the affairs of the conference in the Akwa Ibom forthwith.”