The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State has suspended its chapter treasurer, Ukobong Ibekwe, over allegations that he failed to resign his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party.<\/p>\n
Abia Radio News<\/strong> reports that the suspension was contained in a letter dated January 7 and addressed to the APC Chairman in Akwa Ibom State, Stephen Ntukekpo.<\/p>\n In the letter signed by the Ukanafun APC Chairman, Akaninyene Ukpanah, the party accused Ibekwe of secretly retaining his PDP membership and executive position while occupying a key office within the APC.<\/p>\n According to the letter, Ibekwe defected to the PDP during the 2023 general elections but later returned to the APC after the defection of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, to the ruling party in June 2025 and the waiver granted to returning members.<\/p>\n However, the APC claimed that investigations revealed that Ibekwe is still a chapter officer in PDP and returned to our party (APC) and also took up his former office as a chapter treasurer.<\/p>\n The party further alleged that the suspended official attended meetings of both political parties in Ukanafun, describing the conduct as a serious breach of the APC constitution.<\/p>\n The letter also accused Ibekwe of being spotted at the residence of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, in Ukana, allegedly receiving bags of rice intended for APC officials and opposition party members.<\/p>\n Additionally, the APC alleged financial misconduct, claiming that Ibekwe received stipends meant for APC officers while also benefiting as a PDP chapter officer.<\/p>\n \u201cThe stipends that Governor Eno pays to chapter officers of our party, Mr Ibekwe received double by virtue of still being a chapter officer in PDP,\u201d<\/em> the letter stated.<\/p>\n Citing Article 21:2 (vii) of the party\u2019s constitution, the APC said the treasurer \u201chas therefore committed offences against our party.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cHe is hereby suspended from the party executive in Ukanafun as the party will not condone impersonation and dishonest practices,\u201d<\/em> the letter added.<\/p>\n The development has again raised questions about the sincerity of loyalty among PDP defectors to the APC in Akwa Ibom State, particularly following Governor Eno\u2019s defection.<\/p>\n Before joining the APC, Eno had downplayed party politics, describing political parties as mere vehicles for seeking elective office. He urged PDP members to work with APC leaders in the spirit of unity, popularising the slogan \u201cAkwa Ibom United.\u201d<\/p>\n After defecting, the governor adopted the slogan within APC circles, insisting that governance in the state transcended party lines.<\/p>\n