The Ikono Local government chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State, has suspended the member representing Ikono State Constituency in the state House of Assembly, Hon. Victor Udofia, for alleged “anti-party activities.”

Rising from an extra-ordinary general meeting of the party in Uyo, all the chapter officers, 11 ward chairmen and serving councilors, unanimously endorsed a communique issued to suspend the erring lawmaker.

Addressing journalists, on behalf of the party after the meeting, the Ikono chapter Chairman of the PDP, Chief Etim Inwang, said the action became necessary over the lawmaker’s planned action to allegedly undermine the installation of Elder Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo as the political leader of Ikono LGA, fixed for Saturday.

Chief Inwang stated that the planned action of Hon. Udofia was against the position of the party and majority of Ikono people who unanimously endorsed Elder Ukpong-Udo as the political leader, saying that the constitution of the party had given them authority and powers to be part of the process of appointing a political leader.

The chapter chairman pointed out that the endorsement of Elder Ukpong-Udo became necessary “because when the hierarchy of the PDP and supporters in the state gave the mandate to deliver Ikono LGA to the party, he Elder Ukpong-Udo, gladly did.”

The PDP boss stated that in appreciation for that feat, the people of Ikono, party elders, women and youths, decided to honour him by making him their political leader “and not Sir Sunday Udo Akpan, as claimed by the Assembly member and his group.”

Chief Inwang said that Sir Sunday Udo Akpan had been “recognised as the leader and adviser which the people of Ikono hold him in high esteem.”

“In view of this, the party slammed an indefinite suspension on the lawmaker, and a five man committee was set up to look into all the issues raised against him and report same to the state chapter within two weeks,” the chapter chairman stated.

Also, the Ikono Youth Caucus in its statement, signed by their chairman, Akparawa Ntiedo Ubah, said they were in support of the action of the party and the “unanimous decision of the people to honour Ukpong-Udo as the political leader,” noting that “throughout the history of Ikono, no leader has ever evolved in empowerment programme for the people.”

News Express reports that efforts to get Hon. Udofia for his side of the story, proved abortive.

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