Recapturing the unjust expulsion of Eket Chapter Chairman of APC

Recapturing the unjust expulsion of Eket Chapter Chairman of APC

By Assam Abia

All is not well within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Eket. Ordinarily, this article may not have been necessary, but recent political developments, especially the rise of APC as the ruling party in Akwa Ibom State, have made it imperative to shed light on events threatening the unity and future of the party.

A few weeks before Governor Umo Eno defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, the Eket Chapter of the party was thrown into turmoil following the controversial expulsion of its Chairman, Pastor Ubong Okposin; the Chapter Secretary, Comrade Udia Nku; and a few others. This decision, executed by the State Chairman of the APC, Obong Stephen Ntukekpo, has been widely condemned as a miscarriage of justice, an unconstitutional, conspiratorial move allegedly orchestrated for personal and political gain. The most baffling part is the nomenclature Ntukepo goes about with “The Chief Shepherd.” Whereas the primary duty of a shepherd is to cater and manage the flock of sheep not scattering. He should rather be nicknamed the ” Chief wolf” who scatters , kills and destroys without caring for his sheep’s .

Reports suggest that the decision was influenced by Mr. Abasiandikan Nkono, the Akwa Ibom representative on the NDDC Board, with many describing the expulsion as a vendetta carried out to eliminate perceived threats to future political ambitions. Pastor Okposin’s removal has since sparked serious internal unrest, especially as a wave of former PDP members floods into APC.

Notably, Pastor Ubong Okposin was not given a fair hearing, as stipulated by the party’s constitution. He had served the party faithfully for years, sustaining its structure through personal sacrifice, and ensuring it was ready for the 2024 local government elections. Ironically, his unwavering commitment appears to have made him a target. Allegedly, “one big man who rose suddenly to political power, within Eket, considered Okposin a threat to his 2027 and even 2031 aspirations, and moved to have him removed, using money and influence to suppress justice”, averred a caucus member of the party who pleaded anonymity.

As Hon. Frank Archibong, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, spearheads mass mobilization of PDP members into the APC, he must inform the Governor that the “vehicle” meant to transport them to 2027 is already fractured, with a smoken engine. A party that tramples on its loyal foot soldiers cannot stand firm. The new APC should learn some desatrous lessons from the old PDP.

The case of Pastor Ubong Okposin must be revisited and justice restored.

Okposin joined APC in 2015 alongside a large number of followers from the Accord Party, having served as Eket Chapter Coordinator for the Bishop Samuel Akpan Organization (BISAMO). A loyal disciple of Bishop Akpan, he brought an entire Accord Party structure into APC. Recognized for his oratory prowess and leadership acumen, he was appointed Eket Chapter Publicity Secretary under the Godwin Akwaowo-led APC. His appointment was officially ratified in the 2018 Congress, and he served meritoriously under the Rev. Wilfred Etuk administration.

A seasoned, well-mentored leader, Okposin’s track record earned him further elevation as Chapter Coordinator of the Akwa Ibom Democratic Forum (ADF) and, subsequently, as Eket Chapter Chairman in the 2021 Congress. He inherited a party riddled with divisions and succeeded in uniting the factions, recognizing every member regardless of prior alignment.

With no financial support from the state structure, Okposin frequently sponsored party meetings and mobilization efforts from his personal business earnings, supplemented occasionally by a few stakeholders. Under his leadership, Eket APC emerged as the most mobilized and organized chapter in the senatorial district, with active social media engagement and community outreach—accomplished without external resources.

When party members were ill or bereaved, Okposin creatively mobilized support, often raising hundreds of thousands of naira. Under his administration, the party experienced unprecedented coordination. During the build-up to the 2024 LG election, he successfully nominated candidates without conflict. His fundraising dinner generated millions of naira, which were used to fund comprehensive campaigns.

For the first time in APC’s history, the party campaigned across all 72 gazetted villages in Eket, plus 2 additional villages, making 74 in total. Okposin prioritized the party over his personal business, served with integrity, and never had any accusations of financial misconduct.

So, the question remains: Is this the kind of leader a party should discard without recourse to due process or recognition of past service?

When others deserted the party, he remained loyal. Now that he should be reaping the fruits of his loyalty and hard work, he is being ousted, not even suspended, but expelled without due process. Did he killed anybody?.

This injustice has not gone unnoticed. Supporters and observers alike are raising concerns that, if left unaddressed, it could lead to deep-seated acrimony in the party. Many believe that without a resolution, the newly constituted APC in Eket, now comprising former PDP members, may find itself sitting on a time bomb.

Governor Umo Eno, as the leader of the party in the state, “a man with a good heart who abhors injustice” , must urgently intervene and investigate the circumstances surrounding Pastor Ubong Okposin’s expulsion. Justice must prevail if APC is to present a united front in the build-up to 2027.