By Ushang Ewa
Niger Delta Affairs Minister, Usani Usani met with some stalwarts of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja yesterday to plan the recognition of his favorite successor, Etim John, yesterday at Abuja.
CrossRiverWatch had reported that massive defection looms in the Cross River State chapter of the party following Mr. Usani’s plan to foist Mr. John as the substantive Chairman of the party.
This, as reported, is said to be part of a grand plan to his 2023 gubernatorial ambition which had created disaffection in the party and led to his suspension by the State Executive Committee headed by the acting chairman, Mr. John Ochalla.
But, less than 48 hours after the National Executive Committee had issued a statement recognizing Mr. Ochalla as the true head of the party in the state, Mr. Usani is said to have met with some party members in his Abuja residence to plan the recognition of Mr. John Etim, a former Chairman of Etung local government area as the party’s acting chairman.
A Facebook post by Kalita Aruku, the Chairman of APC Youth Circuit in the state, who attended the meeting read: “Elders of APC and representatives of APC state Exco members met yesterday in Abuja to reaffirm their support for the acting chairmanship of Mr. Etim John.”
The post was uploaded at a few minutes past 5:00 AM on Friday morning. And several calls to Mr. Aruku’s line did not connect as the call machine kept saying his number is “not reachable.”
Mr. Usani who had served as the pioneer Chairman of the party in the state is said to have emerged under controversial circumstances and having vacated the office in 2015 following his appointment as Minister, the battle to replace him has not been easy with several twists and turns documented in the media.
Below are images uploaded by Mr. Aruku on Facebook…
