The Leader of Akwa Ibom All Progressives Congress, APC, 2023 Candidates’ Forum, Esime Eyibo, has denied allegations suggesting that the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Akwa Ibom State, Etekamba Umoren, is affiliated with the APC.
Eyibo, who also holds the position of Special Adviser (Media) to the Senate President, made these remarks during a press conference in Abuja on Sunday.
He called upon those who are asserting such claims to provide substantiating evidence of Umoren’s affiliation with the party.
Eyibo stressed that this evidence should encompass his party membership card, records of dues paid, and inclusion of his name in the party’s membership register, as the law requires anyone making an allegation to provide proof.
Eyibo said, “The law is not operated within the preview of perception but by facts and context. What does it take to be a member of a political party?”
“You must be a card-carrying member, you must be of a financial standing. Beyond being a card-carrying member, your name must be on the register of members of that political party. There are a lot of Supreme Court judgments on this.”
“The law also says whoever alleges must prove. Those who say he is a member of a political party, should go beyond playing to the gallery and bring out either his membership card or anything to show that he has been paying his dues as a member of the APC. The contract of proof is on those who are alleging that he is a party member.”
Eyibo went on to emphasize that the state branch of the APC and the entire state have never experienced such a favorable situation when it comes to federal appointments. He clarified that this favorable situation is primarily a result of the substantial number of Akwa Ibom natives and party members who have been appointed to significant roles within the administration led by President Bola Tinubu.
He said, “The Akwa Ibom State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, has never had it so good.”
“On June 8th, (2023), every member stood together in unity and His Excellency, Senator Godswill Akpabio emerged as Senate President.”
“One of us from Akwa Ibom was also appointed as Minister of Petroleum (Gas), another one of us from Akwa Ibom was appointed as one of the Deputy Governors of the Central Bank, another was appointed as Resident Electoral Commissioner. One of us was also appointed as Secretary in the FCT.”
Eyibo clarified that the APC and the entire populace of Akwa Ibom State are jubilating over these appointments because they symbolize a victory for the entire state’s residents, regardless of their political loyalties.