The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared the reported dissolution of its Akwa Ibom State Working Committee, led by Hon. Aniekan Akpan, as null and void.
This follows an earlier statement issued on Wednesday by the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) through its National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, announcing the dissolution of the Akwa Ibom State Executive Committee and the appointment of a 31-member Caretaker Committee headed by Barr. Igwat Umoren to oversee the party for three months pending fresh congresses.
However, PDP’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, swiftly countered the announcement, stressing that the Publicity Secretary had no authority to implement NWC decisions.
In a letter to the embattled state chairman, Anyanwu wrote:
“My attention has been drawn to a purported press release announcing the dissolution of the Akwa Ibom State Working Committee. For clarity, that statement should be disregarded because no formal meeting of the NWC was held where such a resolution was reached. The National Publicity Secretary has no official capacity to enforce NWC decisions. Therefore, the press release is null, void, and of no effect. The Akwa Ibom State PDP Working Committee remains intact.”
Following this, Aniekan Akpan convened an emergency meeting of his executive at the party’s state secretariat, after which he reaffirmed himself as the legitimate chairman. Addressing the media, he urged members and the public to ignore the dissolution notice, insisting no proper NWC decision was made.
Meanwhile, a state executive member listed as part of the newly announced Caretaker Committee, Barr. Ekpong Edem, also rejected the appointment, describing it as “illegal” and pledging loyalty to the Akpan-led leadership, where he currently serves as Senatorial Vice Chairman.
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