Stakeholders of the Akwa Ibom chapter of the APC agreed on a consensus arrangement in choosing the candidates for the ward congresses and this was the method used in choosing the candidates for all the 329 wards in the state.
The Akwa Ibom State APC Ward Congress Committee (WCC) held a well-attended Pre-Congress Stakeholders Meeting in Uyo on Friday, 30th July, 2021 at the Party’s State Secretariat, amongst the attendees were the Caretaker State Working Committee of the Party, led by Dr. Ita Udosen. The former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Barr. Bassey Dan-Abia was also in attendance.
Critical Akwa Ibom APC stakeholders including the 2015 Governorship candidate of the party, now Managing Director of the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA), Mr. Umana Umana; the 2019 Governorship candidate and former MD NDDC, Obong Nsima Ekere; Senator Nelson Effiong and the National Secretary of APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe were on the same page and had a consensus arrangement amongst themselves in all the 329 wards of the state.
The leaders therefore used the unity list to call for direct democratic elections during the Congresses.
Other stakeholders that were part of the consensus arrangement include:
Former State Chairman and 2019 Deputy Governorship Candidate, Dr. Amadu Atai,2015 Deputy Governorship Candidate & Federal Commissioner in Population Commission, Engr. Ben Ukpong.
Former National Assembly Members: Rt. Hon. Emman Akpan; Rt. Hon. Emman Ekon; Rt. Hon. Emman Ukoete; Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ekpenyong (Tempo) as well as Archbishop Sam Akpan, Chief Godwin Afangideh, Otuekong Sunny Jackson, Arc. Ekong Etuk, DIG Ekpoudom (rtd.), Sir. Ibanga Akpabio, Rt. Hon. Nse Ntuen.
However, only one of the APC Stakeholders did not support the arrangement overwhelmingly backed by majority of APC leaders in the state.