The Minister of Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, has dismissed petitions from some members of the All Progressives Congress in Akwa Ibom State, who are demanding his removal from office.
Describing the petition as “frivolous and baseless,” Ekpo said it was the handiwork of disgruntled individuals bent on tarnishing his reputation.
A group of APC stalwarts from 29 of the state’s 31 local government areas had written to President Bola Tinubu, accusing the minister of betraying the party and undermining its growth in the state.
The petition, endorsed by leaders including Michael Essien (Ini LGA), Obong John (Itu), Victor Okon (Uruan), David Udoh (Ibiono), Lawrence Edet (Uyo), David Linus (Ibesikpo Asutan), Asua Effiong (Etinan), and Vincent Etuk (Nsit Atai), alleged that Ekpo was prioritising a 2031 governorship ambition at the expense of party unity.
Part of the letter read, “We, the dedicated members of the All Progressives Congress in Akwa Ibom State, write to reiterate our call for the sack of the Minister of Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo. Our previous letter to you on this matter was met with a laughable response from the minister, which further exposes his true intentions and actions that are detrimental to the party’s unity and progress in our state.”
The petitioners accused Ekpo of amassing wealth for his personal ambition, sidelining loyal party members, and undermining both the Senate President and the state governor.
Reacting through his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Louis Ibah, the minister dismissed the petition, insisting it was not from genuine APC members.
Ibah said, “We categorically dismiss this petition as a shallow, frivolous and substanceless attempt by attention-seeking non-members of the APC to undermine Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo’s reputation.”
He stressed that real APC members in the state appreciated the minister’s role in strengthening the party and promoting development in Akwa Ibom.
Listing Ekpo’s contributions, Ibah said the minister had unlocked Nigeria’s gas potential, attracted investments into the country, including in Akwa Ibom, and created jobs for Nigerians.
“His track record as Minister of Gas speaks for itself,” he added, noting that Ekpo also played a key role in the Akwa Ibom Democratic Forum, which supported President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda during the 2023 elections.
According to him, the attacks were “a mischievous plot by political jobbers envious of the goodwill Ekpo enjoys with the President,” adding that the minister remained steadfast in his loyalty to the APC and commitment to Tinubu’s administration.
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