By Frank Ulom
ODUKPANI (CONVERSEER) – The All Progressives Congress (APC), Akamkpa Ward in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State, has suspended Mr Ekanim Philip Johnson a.k.a Water Board, from the party for allegedly insulting Rt. Hon. Bassey Akiba, member representing Odukpani/Calabar Municipality Federal Constituency.
According to a notice of suspension signed by Mr Victor Emmanuel Robert and Mr Ayi Etim Effiong, Chairman and Secretary of Akamkpa Ward, on 13 February 2026, the decision to suspend Johnson was reached at a meeting held in January.
“Arising from the combined meeting of the Akamkpa ward APC leadership and ward Executive in Odukpani local government area, held on 27th of January 2026, you are hereby suspended from the party with immediate effect,” the notice read.
Adding, “Your suspension is coming on the heels of your repeated uncontrolled public outbursts, insults on party members, and leadership of the APC, particularly, on the person of Rt. Hon. Bassey Akiba, Member representing Calabar Municipality/ Odukpani Federal constituency, an act which you know is ‘likely to embarrass, have adverse effect on the party, bring the party into hatred, contempt, ridicule or disrepute’.
“While the ward leadership recognises your right to free speech, such right must be exercised within the precincts of the law.”
The notice, which directed Water Board to cease from engaging in all activities of the party, noted that the suspension is in line with the party’s constitution.
“In view of the above, you are hereby directed to cease all activities and engagements under the auspices of the APC forthwith, in accordance with Article 21(a) of the party’s constitution and disciplinary guidelines. You are advised to comply accordingly.”
Converseer reports that the notice was duly signed by Hon. Okon Edem Okon, Councillor representing Akamkpa Ward, and 18 other stakeholders.
Other signatories include Inyang Obo Effiom – Women Leader, Effiom Ekpenyong Ekpenyong – Ward Youth Leader, Okokon Etim Ikang – Treasurer, Essien Okon Etim – Legal Adviser, Bassey Asuquo Ekpenyong – Auditor, Bassey B. Okokon Jnr – Publicity Secretary, and Ebe Okon Ebe – Welfare Secretary.
The rest are Barr. (Dr) Chief Ekpenyong Akiba, Chief (Dr) Ayi Etim Effiong, Chief Victor Effiom Ekpo, Obong Ekpe Eyo Ita Okon, Cyril Edet Okon, Hon. Darlington Bassey Eyo, Apostle Ekpenyong Bassey Ayi, Hon. Eyo Ekpenyong Eyo, Comrade Patrick Ayi Anyama, Mr Etim Obo Effiom, and Mr Ekpenyong Obo Ekpenyong.
