Etim EtimThe campaign season is still a year ahead, but the build-up is getting intense. While the opposition parties are putting plans together to give APC a fight, the ruling party is designing various schemes to retain hold on power.
This weekend, APC leaders and elders in the six South-South states met in Benin and resolved to support President Tinubu; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State and other governors for reelection in the 2027 election.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelIt was the party’s second zonal stakeholders’ meeting, and coming just about a month after Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom joined the party, the nearly 600 delegates from the six states who converged at the Sir Victor Uwaifo Hub in the city enthusiastically welcomed him with a standing ovation. He was clearly the toast of the audience, especially as he was the only of the four chief executives that attended with his deputy, Senator (Mrs) Akon Eyakenyi. Her presence is a true testimony to her unalloyed support to the governor. There were other party stalwarts from the state, most of whom flew in from Uyo in a chartered Ibom Air flight that early morning and returned soon after the event at 3.30pm. Among the Akwa Ibom delegates was an Atlanta-based medical doctor, Dr. Ndem Ndem, who came in from the US the day before just to attend the meeting and left back to the US soon after. Such an enthusiasm!
Two weeks ago, the North East Zone of the party held the first zonal meeting this year, but it was marred by crisis over non-endorsement of Vice President Kashim Shettima as the President’s running mate in 2027. On the contrary the South-South Zonal meeting on Saturday was so well organised and peaceful, you’d think that it was a company’s AGM (Annual General Meeting). The National Vice Chairman, South-South, Chief Victor Giadom and the Zonal Secretary, Dr. Ita Udosen, as well as the state chairmen of the party, deserve commendation for their good work.
It was only the week before Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje suddenly resigned as the National Chairman of the party, but that did not matter in any way. The meeting commenced at 1 pm with welcome remarks from Chief Giadom. He described the conference as momentous and noted that the South-South region had always been part of the ruling party until 2015. But the recent defections of Eno and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta swung the region back to national platform. It was a point the host governor, Monday Okpebholo, stressed in his welcome speech when he noted that the region had always “spoken with one voice.’’ He thanked President Tinubu for supporting the zone through appointments and infrastructures.
After Governor Okpebholo, there was an interlude of cultural performance during which the Ekemini Cultural group from Akwa Ibom State entertained the audience. This group has been in existence for over 30 years and is made up of children of no older than 12 years. It’s actually a kids’ band whose dexterous performance with drums and xylophone keeps audiences standing in awe. It started in the 1990s as a one-man band performed by a kid xylophonist. In a visit to Akwa Ibom in 1991, Mrs Maryam Babangida, wife of the then-Head of State, was so enthralled by the kid’s performance that she awarded him a scholarship to study in higher institutions. The boy was then nicknamed “Udo Maryam’’, meaning Maryam’s second son. I wonder where he is now. After “Udo Maryam’s departure, the state government recruited other kids and formed what is now known as “Ekemini Cultural Group.’’ When these children, usually dressed in Ibibio traditional outfit, walk up the stage, they look tiny and innocent. But when they begin to perform, they dazzle. At the Benin event, their performance was so gripping that Senator Akpabio promptly announced a donation of N20 million to them. Trust Akpabio for his drama! Someone remarked, “So, how much will we, the delegates, get?’’
After the performance by Ekemini Group, (Ekemini means “the time has come’’), the six State Chairmen of APC spoke briefly, one after the other, giving the state of affairs in their party. As they spoke, packed lunch and drinks were served, but there was no commotion. Security men were able to keep street urchins at bay. Kudos to Edo State government for a marvelous organisation. Stephen Ntokekpo, Akwa Ibom APC Chairman, received applause when he said that the overriding political agenda of Governor Eno is the promotion of a united Akwa Ibom. Jarret Jenebe (Edo Chairman); Omenei Sabotie (Delta); Denise Otiotio (Bayelsa) Alphonsus Eba (Cross River) and Tony Okocha (Rivers) also gave accounts of their stewardships.
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Felix Morka (National Publicity Secretary) and Mary Alile (APC National Women Leader) also gave brief remarks, emphasising the need to support the President. They are the only two NWC members from the zone. Then came speeches from the four governors. They all spoke of the dramatic growth of the party in the region and the expectation of more governors joining them in APC. But Eno went beyond partisanship and noted that he is poised to work with the Senate President to meet the expectations of his people. The party’s Acting National Chairman, Ali Dalori, reminded everyone that the meeting was his first official assignment since he assumed duties last week. He was applauded.
READ ALSO: Umo Eno, Tinubu And The 2027 Election
Senator Akpabio was the last to speak. Expectedly, he was effusive with commendation to the President. President Tinubu has no bigger fan than Akpabio. After the Senate President, Chief Giadom read the communiqué and Prof. Julius Ihonvbere (member of the House of Reps) moved a motion for the adoption of the President as sole presidential candidate. It was seconded by Senator Adams Oshiomhole. Although it is coming a bit too early, this political season will no doubt offer the same excitements and dramas as we’ve seen before.
Etim Etim
ETIM ETIM is a journalist, banker and author. He has been a member of the Editorial Board of The Guardian, a Regional Manager in Access Bank and is currently a Columnist in Prime Business Africa, The Cable and Businessday newspapers.
He is also the Chief Executive of Stein Meyer Communications, a major media consultancy and the author of the best-selling book, "Akwa Ibom Heroes: Inside Story of the Fight for Abrogation of Onshore-Offshore Oil Dichotomy" and co-author of another book, "Osinbajo Strides: Defining Moments of an Innovative Leader".
