Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo

A group of All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwarts from 29 out of the 31 local government areas of Akwa Ibom State have accused the Minister of Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, of working against the party’s interest and called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene.

In a letter addressed to the President and made available to journalists in Uyo on Tuesday, the APC stakeholders alleged that the Minister was pursuing a personal gubernatorial ambition at the expense of the party’s unity and growth in the state.

The petition, endorsed by prominent APC members across the state, including Michael Essien (Ini LGA), Obong Anthony John (Itu), Victor Okon (Uruan), Pst David Udoh (Ibiono), Lawrence Edet (Uyo), David Linus (Ibesikpo Asutan), Asua Effiong (Etinan), and Vincent Etuk (Nsit Atai), among others, accused Ekpo of betrayal of trust.

The stakeholders alleged that since his appointment in 2023, the minister had been more focused on creating factions and sidelining party members who did not support his 2031 governorship ambition rather than consolidating the party’s structure.

The statement partly read: “Rather than working to rally members in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and strengthening our structures in Akwa Ibom, the Minister has been busy sowing divisions. His boasts about amassing funds for his personal ambition are proof that he prioritises his interests over the party’s progress.”

They further alleged that Ekpo had undermined the Senate President and attempted to cause discord between him and the state governor, warning that his continued role in government posed a liability to the party.

In response, the minister’s senior special assistant on media and publicity, Louis Ibah, dismissed the allegations as baseless and politically motivated.

According to him, the petition was “a shallow, frivolous and substanceless attempt by attention-seeking non-members of the APC to tarnish Ekpo’s reputation.”

Ibah maintained that the minister had made significant contributions to both the APC and national development, citing his efforts in unlocking Nigeria’s natural gas potential, attracting investments, and creating jobs.

He added that Ekpo remained a loyal party man who played a key role through the Akwa Ibom Democratic Forum (ADF) in championing President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda during the 2023 general elections.

“This petition is a mischievous attempt by political jobbers who envy the goodwill Hon. Ekpo enjoys from Mr President. Loyal APC members are focused on growth, not petty distractions. The minister’s commitment to the party and the president’s Renewed Hope Agenda remains unwavering,” Ibah stated.