“WE DID NOT ENDORSE GOVERNOR GODSWILL AKPABIO AS OUR CONSENSUS GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE FOR 2011 GENERAL ELECTION IN AKWA IBOM STATE”

Following a near crisis situation which arose as a result of a purported, fraudulent and baseless communiqué said to have been issued at the end of an ill-arranged conference of political parties in Akwa Ibom State by one Hon. Linus Udofia of United Nigeria Peoples Party (UNPP) and Mr. Stern Etim of the Labour Party (LP) in fake capacities as Chairman and Secretary of CNPP, the leadership of our respective political parties have met in Uyo, this Wednesday 18^th November, 2009 and we wish to put the records straight as follows:

·       That our respective political parties were not briefed of the agenda of the purported political conference of Friday, 13^th November, 2009 by the organizers, as we were told that it was meant to be a mere interactive session with the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Inter-Party Affairs;

·       That as our parties’ members arrived at the venue of the said conference at Ibom Hall, so many other groups other than political parters were found singing the praises of Akwa Ibom State Governor.

·       That the parties have often been coming together using the name, Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) under the National Chairmanship of His Excellency, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Chief Willie Ezeogwu as National Secretary, and Comrade David Ekanem, giving us efficient and effective leadership as the State Chairman since we were inaugurated in 2008 in the presence of the Governor, Chief (Dr.) Godswill Akpabio;

·       That when we noticed that instead of the State Chairman, Comrade David Ekanem, whom we know and trust with the mandate to lead us, another person was smuggled in by the organizers of the conference (of 13^th November, 2009) to occupy gthe seat meant for the State Chairman of CNPP. We suspected foul play, and in protest called out our members who complied with our directives accordingly;

·       That when the purported conferenbce had virtually failed as a result of the pulling out of our parties’ faithful and members, envelopes of money containing sums ranging from N20,000 (Twenty thousand Naira) to N50,000 (Fifty thousand Naira) only supposedly meant for delegates from political parties were brought to the venue, and were snatched by hoodlums who later boosted as per the contents of the envelopes they were able to snatch.

·       That prior to, during and after the said conference, at no point in time did the Governor or his agents or assigns indicate the intention to, or actually discuss with us or higher hierarchies of our respective political parties on the need to adop him, the Governor as our consensus candidate for the 2011 gubernatorial election.

Based on the forgoing facts, it is imperative to clarify here, and we so clarify that we did not endorse the re-election bid of His Excellency, Chief (Dr.) Godswill Akpabio as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State in 2011, and we did not authorize anyone or group to do so on our behalf.

For avoidance of doubt, we are not opposed to Governor Akpabio or any other qualified citizen of Akwa Ibom State seeking election into the office of the Governor of the State, but we are vehemently opposed to anyone or group using the name of our parties to promote his or their fraudulent and selfish activities.

We elect to also use this opportunity to commend the Governor for his administration’s efforts in developing the State further, especially for the signing into law, the Akwa Ibom State’s Child Rights Act and promotion of education.

We however call on His Excellency to please complete the Ibom Power Plant, Science Park and also reactivate the airling sunshine Battery Industries, Biscuit Factory, Qua Steel Mill, Asbestonate Company, Pamil Industry, Plasto-Crown, quality Ceramics and other moribund government-owned organizations, as well as establish some cottage industries to generate employment opportunities for Akwa Ibom people.

Finally, we advise the Governor to avoid thee sycophants around him if he wishes to succeed as a leader.

We elect to work severally and collaboratively to effectively institutionalize true democracy in Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria.

We are:

1.    Chief (Comrade) David Ekanem (08028344111 & 08069464296)

State Chairman, Action Congress (AC) &

State Chairman, Conf. of Nig. Pol. Parties (CNPP)

2.    Elder Godwin Ukwak (09088482414)

State Chairman, Nigeria Peoples’ Congress (NPC) &

State Deputy Chairman, CNPP

3.    Hon. Arc. Paul Bassey (07031305001)

State Chairman, All Nigeria Peoples’ Party (ANPP) &

State Vice Chairman, CNPP

4.    Mr. Emmanuel Okon (08036505850)

State Chairman, African Democratic Congress (ADC) &

State Secretary, CNPP

5.    Mr. Mike Akpan (08032626350)

State Chairman, Citizens Popular Party (CPP) &

State Treasurer, CNPP

6.    Mr. Bassey Essiet (08026711986)

State Chairman, Democratic Peoples’ Party (DPP) &

State Publicity Secretary, CNPP

7.    Mr. Emmanuel Nana Akpan (08027514419)

State Chairman, Progressive Peoples’ Alliance (PPA) &

State Welfare Officer, CNPP

8.    Hon Udeme Okon (07037824182)

State Chairman,m All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) &

State Organizing Secretary, CNPP

9.    Mr. Daniel Edelduok (07039097705)

State Chairman, Movement for Democracy & Justice (MDJ) &

State Financial Secretary, CNPP

.........BEING THE TEXT OF A COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF AN ENLARGED EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE(S) MEETING OF CONFERENCE OF NIGERIA POLITICAL PARTIES (CNPP) IN AKWA IBOM STATE HELD IN UYO ON WEDNESDAY, 18^TH NOVEMBER, 2009