2023: APC National Secretary, Akpanudoedehe, may join governorship race

By TAIWO AMODU, Abuja

Incumbent National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress Caretaker/ Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, may join the governorship race in his home state of Akwa-Ibom.

Indication emerged, on Thursday, as certain chieftains of the party in the South-South state endorsed him as their anointed candidate.

A communique issued at the end of the meeting by the group operating under the platform, Akwa-Ibom APC stakeholders described Senator Akpanudoedehe as the candidate to beat.

According to the communique, issued at the end of the meeting held in Abuja, Atuekong Don Etiebet moved the motion for Senator Akpanudoedehe endorsement to join the governorship race and was seconded by Archbishop Samuel Akpan, a former governorship candidate in 2015 and Political Adviser in the state.

The meeting extolled Akpanudoedehe’s sound educational qualification and knowledge of the political environment, enviable track record in public service, political party administration, vast experience in business, local government administration and exposure to national politics as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The stakeholders also acknowledged his uncommon service to the people, relentless energy to mobilize the people, as well as his “capacity to interact with the grassroots, put him forward as one with the greatest potential that can win the election for the party in Akwa Ibom State.

“After exhaustive deliberation, the motion was overwhelmingly passed with a notation for the resolution taken by a credible collection of Akwa Ibom APC stakeholders to be conveyed to the Distinguished Senator.”

The meeting also reviewed various issues of national interest and commended President Muhammadu Buhari, ‘s efforts at managing the country’s, economy and the war against corruption.

The group “passed a vote of confidence on the President for the strides he has recorded in securing the nation from insurgency and banditry, reviving the economy, promoting a return to agriculture and ensuring food sufficiency and vast improvements in our national infrastructure.”

The meeting also commended the “National Chairman, Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) H.E. Mai Mala Buni, Governor of Yobe state for the able and effective manner he has piloted the affairs of the party and fulfilled the core mandate of its assignment which is to convene the National convention now scheduled to hold on the 26th of February 2022.

“The meeting commended and appreciated our son, Pastor Senator John James Akpanudoedehe (Ph.D) for his tenacity to hold-forth and strong his duty and responsibility as the National Secretary of our great Party; enduring the pressures on all sides to ensure the entrenchment of 34 out of the 36 APC State Executive Committees in the country.” (Nigerian Tribune)