Publicity Secretary dismisses report as “blatant fabrication”
The All Progressives Congress (APC), Akwa Ibom State Chapter, has denied reports that the party has replaced three of its National Assembly candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party described the report as false, baseless and misleading, urging members of the party and the general public to disregard it.
Reacting to the publication by The POST, which carried the headline, “2027 TICKET: APC REPORTEDLY REPLACES THREE A’IBOM NATIONAL ASSEMBLY CANDIDATES,” the APC State Publicity Secretary, Chief Patrick Edeke, said the report did not emanate from the party.
Edeke said, “The report is false. It is baseless. It is misleading, and, most importantly, it did not emanate from the All Progressives Congress, Akwa Ibom State Chapter.”
He stated that no decision had been taken by the state chapter to replace any of the National Assembly candidates who emerged from the party’s primaries.
“For the avoidance of doubt, no decision has been taken by the APC Akwa Ibom State Chapter to replace any of the National Assembly candidates produced at the party’s primaries. There has been no such contemplation, discussion or directive known to the State Chapter,” he said.
According to him, the affected candidates emerged from credible and properly conducted primary elections in line with the party’s guidelines.
“The candidates in question emerged from credible, transparent and properly conducted primary elections, undertaken in accordance with the party’s established guidelines. The outcome was widely accepted by the APC family across Akwa Ibom State,” Edeke said.
The Publicity Secretary also accused those behind the report of attempting to create confusion within the party and the state.
“It is curious and deeply troubling that a publication would attempt to manufacture a crisis by presenting an entirely fictitious narrative as news,” he stated.
Edeke further condemned what he described as the growing culture of “junk publications, sensational headlines and deliberately misleading political stories,” saying such reports could create unnecessary tension in society.
“Journalism must not become a business of manufacturing falsehoods,” he declared.
He stressed that the APC has established channels of communication through which genuine information concerning the party and its candidates would be made public.
“The APC is a structured and responsible political organisation. It has clearly defined channels of communication and competent leadership. Where there is any legitimate development concerning its candidates, the party knows how to communicate such information to its members and the general public,” he said.
Edeke therefore urged APC members and the people of Akwa Ibom State to disregard the report and remain focused on the party’s preparations for the 2027 elections.
“If there is ever a genuine reason for any change in the party’s candidates, the APC itself will officially inform its members and the public. There has, however, been no such development in respect of the candidates referred to in the publication,” he said.
He warned against the deliberate circulation of political misinformation, noting that such actions could create unnecessary suspicion, division and tension among citizens.
“The APC will not allow mischief-makers to disturb the peace of our state. Those who deliberately manufacture and circulate falsehoods for political or commercial purposes must be called to order,” Edeke said.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the APC Akwa Ibom State Chapter to internal democracy, due process and respect for the outcome of its primary elections.
According to him, “The APC Akwa Ibom State Chapter remains united, focused, organised and resolute. We shall not allow merchants of misinformation to define our narrative or undermine the peace of our people.”
Edeke concluded by declaring: “When the APC has something to say, the APC will say it.”
He consequently called on the public to disregard any claim suggesting that the party had replaced the National Assembly candidates in question.
By Ndifreke Bassey
