A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mrs. Glory Obot, has raised concern over what she described as a lack of consultation with respected party chieftains in Etinan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State ahead of the ward and local government congresses scheduled by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
Mrs. Obot, a Lagos-based businesswoman and long-standing member of the party since its Action Congress (AC) days, spoke during an interview shortly after arriving at the Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo to participate in the congresses.
She said she was disturbed by reports from Etinan indicating that several senior party figures had not been consulted in the build-up to the exercises.
“In Etinan Local Government Area, there is a clear lack of consultation with respected party chieftains and elder statesmen who have worked tirelessly to build this party,” she said.
“These are individuals who have invested their time, resources and influence in strengthening our structures at the grassroots. They deserve to be given the right recognition and allowed adequate opportunity to exercise patience within an inclusive process.”
Mrs. Obot, who is from Etinan Urban Ward 3, stressed that the harmonisation process should represent inclusion and experience in order to prevent unnecessary grievances.
“When experienced hands are sidelined, it creates room for misunderstanding. Consultation is not a favour; it is a responsibility,” she stated.
“And it is not just Etinan. There are similar concerns in other local government areas across the state where leaders believe wider engagement would strengthen unity.”
Drawing a comparison with party practice in Lagos State, she said recognition of longstanding stakeholders has contributed to cohesion there.
“Where party chieftains and elder statesmen are properly recognised because of the trust reposed in them by their supporters, unity is easier to maintain,” she added.
She also referenced the inauguration of the APC congress implementation committee by Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, early in January 2026, when he charged members to consult widely with party leaders across the state ahead of the congresses.
“The directive was clear — there should be wide consultation. That instruction should be honoured in the conduct of these congresses,” she said.
Mrs. Obot further noted that similar concerns were being raised in other local government areas, particularly in places where some local government chairmen who originally won elections under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) later defected to the APC last year.
“In some of these areas, stakeholders are asking questions about how integration and consultation are being handled,” she said.
“These are sensitive matters that call for patience, fairness and proper recognition of established party leaders.”
