In a bold and unmistakable move, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has dissolved its Akwa Ibom State Executive Committee and installed a 31‑member caretaker committee to steer the party through a transitional phase.
The shake-up was approved by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) at a session held on Tuesday, September 30, 2025.
Why the Reset?
For years, Akwa Ibom has served as a PDP stronghold — but following Governor Umo Eno’s defection to the APC earlier in 2025, the party’s grip on its state machinery has weakened significantly.
Within party circles, tension has brewed over loyalty and leadership.
The outgoing chair, Aniekan Akpan, had at various times shown alignment with Governor Eno despite the governor’s switch of allegiance — a posture that stirred internal suspicions and calls for restructuring.
The PDP’s federal leadership evidently decided to intervene in order to reclaim influence and reassert control over a critical state.
The dissolution is positioned by the party as a move to “reposition, unify, and reorganize” the Akwa Ibom chapter ahead of upcoming elections.
Meet the Caretaker Team
The newly minted caretaker committee is chaired by Igwat Umoren, with Harrison Ekpo as Deputy Chair and Borono Bassey serving as Secretary.
Other key positions include:
* Ewa Okpo — Publicity Secretary
* Emman Mbong — Organizing Secretary
* Hon. Aniekan Asuquo — Youth Leader
* Mary Silvia Abara — Women Leader
* Barr. Enoch Enoch — Legal Adviser
* Hon. Aniebiet Cornelius, Udim Peters, Mrs. Ayanime Obot, Hon. Ofon Michael, and others rounding out the 31‑member slate.
The committee’s mandate is time‑bound: to manage party affairs for a maximum of three months or until a new State Executive Committee (SEC) is elected.
Stakes and Repercussions
This move is more than administrative housekeeping — it’s a signal. For the PDP, reorganizing in Akwa Ibom is a test: will the party be able to cling to relevance in a state now helmed by the APC? For Governor Eno, who still wields political influence even after decamping, the caretaker committee’s success or failure could serve as a barometer of his residual control over local party machinery.
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Moreover, the committee’s composition — drawn from insiders, opponents, and party stalwarts — suggests a balancing act.
The national leadership seems intent on appeasing different factions while imposing a fresh structure that can hold the party together in turbulent times.
Critics will watch closely whether this reset sparks internal dissent or facilitates renewed cohesion. Some may view the move as top‑heavy intervention, while others may see it as a necessary course‑correction.
