Paul Ekpo knows fate May 7

*As PDP releases guidelines for party Congress
BY KENNETH JUDE

The battle for who be comes the next  Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state is showing no sign of abating as indications have emerged that forces against the incumbent Chairman, Obong Paul Ekpo are mounting each passing day. 

THE INK can authoritatively report that some powerful members of Governor Udom’s cabinet are doing all within their power to unseat the Etinan born Politian. The reason(s), THE INK gathered, is unconnected to Paul Ekpo’s rumoured interest in contesting the 2023 Governorship position in the state. In the light of this, the upcoming State Congress in May, sources say, is likely going to be a make or mar fate for the party’s Chairman who is said not to be in the good books of some members of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s cabinet.

A source who spoke on the condition of anonymity told THE INK that all is seemingly not well with Paul Ekpo and some key members of the Governor’s cabinet especially those considered to be overly loyal to the Governor. The source, who is close to the embattled party Chairman revealed that there are ongoing scheming and plots to replace Paul Ekpo as state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). “The fact is that some of the Governor’s loyalists see Obong Ekpo as being too powerful hence in order to whittle down his influence, they feel the best thing is to oust him as party Chairman.

Meanwhile, all attention has been shifted to the May 7 State Congresses where Paul Ekpo will know his fate as to whether he will continue as PDP state Chairman. Our reporter gathered that stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party are making frantic efforts to those they feel can help them sell their candidate.

At the moment, no one, including the current party Chairman is certain about his fate, but those close to him told THE INK that the state Governor is solidly behind the Ex Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs even though some of the Governor’s core loyalists are still adamant to the retention of Obong Paul Ekpo as the state PDP Chairman.