A political advocacy group, the PDP Advocates of Peace and Justice (PAPAJ), has called on the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Aniekan Akpan, to resign if he cannot refrain from participating in events linked to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement issued in Uyo, PAPAJ’s Executive Director, Dr. Tom FredFish, accused the PDP chairman of undermining his party’s interest by frequently attending APC-related programmes, particularly those associated with Governor Umo Eno’s administration.
The group expressed concern that Mr. Akpan’s “non-action” in providing strong leadership for the PDP had left the party vulnerable to infiltration by opposition elements, especially in the wake of Governor Eno’s defection to the APC.
“Mr. Aniekan Akpan cannot fulfill the desire of Governor Umo Eno to imitate the anti-democratic behavior of Nyesom Wike, the FCT Minister, of belonging to two political parties,” Dr. FredFish said.
“He should disengage from the governor politically and focus on galvanizing the PDP like other patriotic members are doing.”
PAPAJ further faulted Mr. Akpan’s attendance at the recent Arise Agenda event, describing it as an APC initiative that had no bearing on PDP’s objectives.
“There are many indications that his body is in PDP while his heart is in APC,” Dr. FredFish alleged.
“It is irritating that the PDP chairman sits comfortably in an APC gathering where he has no useful role to play. How many PDP events did the APC chairman attend when Governor Eno was still in the PDP?”
The group also accused the governor of “proliferating party chairmen” by using Mr. Akpan to serve the interests of both parties simultaneously, contrary to democratic norms.
“To make matters worse, Mr. Akpan proudly wears the emblem of the Arise Agenda, showing his commitment to the APC administration,” the statement read. “He should retreat or resign.”
PAPAJ has therefore urged the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Ambassador Umar Damagum, to intervene and “put Mr. Akpan in check” in order to safeguard the party’s structure in Akwa Ibom State.
“Such a step will restore the party in Akwa Ibom to its rightful place as a strong force in Nigeria’s political system,” Dr. FredFish concluded.