A leadership crisis has erupted in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following conflicting statements over the dissolution of its Akwa Ibom State Working Committee.
On Wednesday, the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) announced the dissolution of the state executive led by Hon. Aniekan Akpan. The statement, signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, also unveiled a 31-member Caretaker Committee chaired by Barrister Igwat Umoren, with a three-month mandate pending fresh congresses.
But in a swift reaction, the PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, countered the announcement, declaring it “null and void.”
In a letter addressed to Akpan, Anyanwu argued that there was no formal sitting of the NWC where such a resolution was taken, stressing that the Publicity Secretary lacked the authority to implement NWC decisions.
“For purposes of clarity, that press release should be discountenanced because there was no formal sitting of the National Working Committee in which such decision was taken,” the letter read. “The state working committee of the PDP Akwa Ibom state stands undissolved.”
Akpan, speaking after an emergency meeting with his executives at the party’s state secretariat, maintained that he remains the authentic chairman. He urged party members and the public to disregard what he described as an unauthorized sack notice.
Adding to the confusion, Barrister Ekpong Edem, a serving State Exco member whose name appeared on the caretaker list, rejected the appointment, calling it “illegal.” He pledged continued loyalty to the Akpan-led leadership, where he currently serves as Senatorial Vice Chairman.
The dispute underscores ongoing factional tensions within the PDP, with analysts warning that the fallout could impact party cohesion ahead of future elections in Akwa Ibom.
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