LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-The Akwa Ibom State chapter of the African Action Congress (AAC) has elected Elder Utip Joseph Etiebet as its new chairman, alongside other state executives, to serve a four-year tenure.
The election took place during the party’s state congress held over the weekend at the AAC Secretariat in Uyo. Other newly elected officials include Mr. Okon Umanah as Deputy Chairman, Bassey Etim as Deputy Chairman (II), Aniefiok Udosen as State Auditor, Mr. Idorenyin Nse Effiong as Youth Leader, Blessing Usen as Organizing Secretary, and Enobong Sunday Udoh as an executive member.
In his acceptance speech, Elder Etiebet assured members of his readiness to reposition the AAC as a major political force in Akwa Ibom, declaring his intention to “wrestle power” from the incumbent governor, Pastor Umo Eno, and lead a coalition that would “retire the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)” in the 2027 general elections.
Etiebet, who previously served as chairman of the Labour Party in the state, criticized both the ruling PDP and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), alleging that neither has provided credible leadership or a clear development vision for Akwa Ibom.
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“PDP has governed Akwa Ibom for many years without meaningful progress, while the APC has also failed the people with its lack of direction and cluelessness,” he stated.
He commended officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for monitoring the congress, describing their presence as a validation of the exercise.
“AAC is not a new party. We are not given to noise-making; we follow the path of our national leader, Omoyele Sowore. Our structures are rooted across the 329 wards and 31 local government areas of Akwa Ibom through genuine comradeship,” he said.
The chairman-elect expressed optimism about the party’s growing membership base, promising to expand its reach further in the coming year.
“Thank you for electing me as your chairman. As a former Labour Party chairman, I will not disappoint you. You have given me your mandate, and I assure you I will not let you down,” he declared.
Etiebet also decried the poor state of infrastructure in Uyo, citing several roads such as Aka Itam, Uyo Village Road, and Udo Umanah, which he said have been plagued by potholes and flooding. He called on Governor Umo Eno to dismiss the state Commissioner for Works over alleged inefficiency.
“I hereby call on the governor to sack the Works Commissioner because our people have suffered too much from bad roads,” Etiebet said.