Cross River State All Progressives Congress (APC) executive has suspended the ward Chairmen of Ijiraga and Mfuma-Ntrigon wards of Yala LGA over suspected anti-party activities in the just concluded Re-Run Election.
Also, the Exco directed the suspended chairmen to hand over all party items with them to their respective Vice Chairmen with immediate effect.
Hon. Emmanuel Edem Inyang (JP) acting Publicity secretary of party made this known following the meeting of the State Executive Committee in Calabar.
For instance, Hon Inyang in a release dated 9th February 2024, highlighted the growing level of Anti-party activities.
Thus, “if not checked and decisively dealt with, will not augur well for the overall well being of the party in the future,” he said.
Moreover, the party appalled by reports of widespread Anti-Party activities by some party members in Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency, Obanliku and Yala States Constituencies.
Accordingly, the Exco unanimously reached the following resolutions after exhaustive deliberations and review of the Re run election held on the 3rd of February 2024.
The Nine Point Resolutions:
That the Party Congratulates the candidates of the party and every committed member who worked tirelessly to defend the party.
The Exco observed that the loss in Yala 11 and Obanliku majorly occasioned by the high level conspiracy and mind boggling anti party activities of party members.
The party humbly appeals to Candidates in the Re run to accept the outcome of the election and not dissipate further energies in pursuit of their rights to seek redress at the tribunal even though it is within their rights and the party will stand by their decision should they decide to do so.
The State Executive Committee strongly condemned the impunity of some ward chairmen and party men involved in anti party activities.
The party invoked it’s powers contained in Article 21 ( 1) of the APC Constitution and moved a motion for the immediate suspension of the ward Chairmen of Ijiraga and Mfuma-Ntrigon wards of Yala LGA.
Pursuant to Article 21 (3) of the APC Constitution, The State Exco Constituted a Five (5) man Disciplinary committee consisting of the following:
Chief Edet Asia – Chairman, Hon. Emmanuel Ateb – Member, Hon. Erong Igwe – Member, Mr. Godwin John Inyang – Member and Barr. Alfred Umoh Effiong – Secretary with terms of reference to work with candidates and agents of the party in the election to fish out all those involved in Anti party activities.
The committee shall invite them to clear their names and report their findings to the State Executive Committee within 3 weeks.
To this end, other party members and Government appointees alleged to have been involved directly in anti party activities or sponsorship of same in Yala, Obanliku, Akamkpa and Biase should be invited to defend themselves including the suspended Ward Chairmen.
Meanwhile, the Exco unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the State Chairman, Alphonsus Ogar Eba esq, for his visionary, fearless, courageous, and dynamic leadership which resulted in several golden victories the party won in the 2023 and 2024 general and re run elections respectively.
The party warned all members who constantly indulge in blackmail to undermine the party and it’s leadership to henceforth, desist from doing so as the party will no longer condone any act that undermines its authority and supremacy.
The party also commended the Governor, H. E. Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu for his People First Administrative programme especially the massive road repairs in the state, the successful hosting of the 2023 carnival, the recent payment of WAEC fees for all students in Cross River state and his tireless support to the party always.
The party also thanked all it’s faithful members and assured them that the Governor was working very hard to address the hardship in the land and very soon, appointments and massive empowerment will commence.
The party also resolves to periodically interface with all Elected Members to ascertain the level of their relationship with their constituents with a view to building stronger ties and bonds.