The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced that Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and APC National Chairman Abdulhai Umar Ganduje will storm Akwa Ibom to kick off the party’s local government election campaign. This high-profile event, set to take place on September 18, 2024, at the Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium, is part of APC’s bold plan to dominate the upcoming local government elections scheduled for October 5 in the state.
Senator Ita Enang, former presidential aide on Niger Delta Affairs and Chairman of APC’s Local Government Election Campaign Committee, revealed the party’s readiness to clinch all 31 local government areas in the state. Speaking at a press conference in Uyo, Enang emphasized that the APC is mobilizing its full strength to secure victory across the state, signaling a potential shift in political control.
“Akwa Ibom is an APC state, and we are more than them (PDP),” Enang said, referring to the opposition party. He added, “While the PDP controls the state government, we are confident that we will win in the majority of the council areas.”
The campaign will see Vice President Shettima, Senate President Akpabio, and National Chairman Ganduje hand over party flags to APC candidates vying for councillorship and chairmanship positions across Akwa Ibom’s 31 council areas. Enang expressed confidence that APC’s strong backing from the federal government, under President Bola Tinubu, would play a crucial role in their success at the polls.
“President Tinubu has ensured the autonomy of local governments, and this will work in our favor. We will put an end to the PDP’s domination of local government elections in Akwa Ibom,” Enang stated confidently.
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Enang labeled the upcoming election as a crucial test of APC’s strength in Akwa Ibom. He claimed that the party would secure a majority of seats, although he admitted that unforeseen circumstances might lead to PDP winning in certain areas. However, he warned that APC members would not allow any foul play during the election, saying, “APC knows what the ruling party knows, and we will not let them carry ballot boxes and run.”
While acknowledging Governor Umo Eno’s promise of a level playing field, Enang expressed skepticism about the impartiality of the Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC) Chairman, Elder Aniedi Ikoiwak. Citing Ikoiwak’s history in previous elections, Enang passed a vote of no confidence in his ability to deliver a free and fair election.
Senator Enang urged Akwa Ibom voters to support APC, highlighting the federal government’s strides toward local government autonomy. “The APC-controlled federal government has taken the right step by ensuring that local governments are freed from the control of state governments,” he said.
As the campaign season heats up, the stage is set for a fierce contest in Akwa Ibom’s local government elections, with APC aiming to finally dethrone the PDP and assert its influence across the state.
