The Leader of the Akwa Ibom All Progressives Congress 2023 Candidates’ Forum, Esime Eyibo, has denied claims that the Resident Electoral Commissioner of Akwa Ibom State, Etekamba Umoren, is a member of the APC.
Eyibo made the denial at a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, challenging those making the claims to produce evidence of Umoren’s membership of the party.
He said that the law stipulates that anyone who alleges must prove it, and that the law is not operated within the preview of perception but by facts and context.
Eyibo also stated that the Akwa Ibom State chapter of the APC has never had it so good in terms of federal appointments, with several members of the party appointed to important positions in the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.
“The law is not operated within the preview of perception but by facts and context. What does it take to be a member of a political party?
“You must be a card-carrying member, you must be of a financial standing. Beyond being a card-carrying member, your name must be on the register of members of that political party. There are a lot of Supreme Court judgements on this.
“The law also says whoever alleges must prove. Those who say he is a member of a political party, should go beyond playing to the gallery and bring out either his membership card or anything to show that he has been paying his dues as a member of the APC. The contract of proof is on those who are alleging that he is a party member.”
He said that the party and the people of Akwa Ibom State are celebrating these appointments because they represent a win for the whole state, irrespective of political affiliations.
