A group, the Defenders of Akwa Ibom APC (DAIA), has warned the new leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against making the same mistakes that led to the loss of Zamfara and Rivers states in 2019 general election.

The group, in a statement by its coordinator, Ibok Essein, condemned the background of the party’s decision to recognise inaugurating Obong Stephen Ntukekpo as the chairman of the Akwa Ibom State chapter of the APC, noting that the issues of the congresses that led to his emergence were still under judicial review”.

“What happened in Zamfara and Rivers States are still very fresh in our memory and it would be catastrophic for us as a party if we did not learn any lesson from the issues.”

The group further called for caution, saying the same issues of upholding the constitution of the party and of the Electoral Act were now at play in Akwa Ibom.

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“The fact is that a significant proportion of the party members including at the grassroots and leaders have issues with the emergence of Obong Stephen Ntukekpo as chairman of the party.

“These members have in adherence to the rule of law taken up their case in the courts and it is a shock that even before their right to fair hearing is adjudicated that their rights have been abridged.

“Our warning is that the party must take heed so that the disaster of Zamfara and Rivers do not befall us in Akwa Ibom.

“Our grassroots in Akwa Ibom have more than ever been energized for victory in the forthcoming 2023 General Election. What they are asking is for things to be done properly for them to deliver Akwa Ibom from the yoke of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,” the group said.

The Star