C'River: Internal Fighting Over Odukpani APC Delegates' List Tears Party Apart

By Obio Monday

 Internal wranglings over delegates' list for the forthcoming All Progressives Congress, APC, primaries has torn the party apart in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State.

GRASSROOT REPORTERS gathered that some critical stakeholders in the local government are not happy with the leadership of the party in the chapter following alleged plans by the chapter chairman, Mr. Edem Anam and some faction of the party to write names of delegates to represent the thirteen wards in the LGA at the primaries, without recourse to the wards.

It was alleged that the plot got the blessings of the Vice Chairman of the council, Hon. Enefiok Inyang and a governorship aspirant from Eniong Ward.

Speaking with our correspondent on Friday, Prince Ndiyo Ndiyo, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Ben Ayade on Youth Mobilization, said if such move is undertaken, it will be vehemently resisted.

He said:

"If such move is true, it is against the policy of Governor Ben Ayade.

"Whatever they want to do, we belong to the same party. We should sit and discuss, agree on the delegates, not imposition.

"For those of us from Ito/Idere/Ukwa Ward, we will not accept anybody sitting down anywhere to write list on our behalf without discussing with relevant stakeholders. Ito/Idere/Ukwa Ward will resist such move.

Also speaking, the ward chairman for Ito/Idere/Ukwa Ward, Ekpaete Effiong said he also heard the rumour, adding that the state chairman has come out to say that the delegates' list must emanate from the ward, with the ward chairman's signature and phone number clearly written on the list.

"The rumour is true", he said.

Responding to the allegations, the chapter chairman of the party in Odukpani, Mr. Edem Anam, debunked such claims, insisting that he has not received such directive to compile delegates' list, describing the rumour as baseless.

"It was just yesterday (Tuesday) that a press release from the State Chairman was issued and it is clearly stated that we should go down to the ward and come up with those list.

"I am the chapter chairman for all not for a particular group. If they have factionalized themselves, that is their business.

"No delegate list has been done and such has not been submitted anywhere. That will be done in accordance with the directive of the state chairman." Mr. Anam said.

On insinuations that he has adopted an aspirant who is from the same ward with him for the governorship, he denied the claims, challenging those peddling the rumour to substantiate their claims. He added that he wouldn't want to join issues with anyone, assuring that any aspirant that invites him for an event, he will always honour the event.

When contacted, the Vice Chairman of Odukpani Local Government Area, Hon. Enefiok Inyang also denied the allegations.

He said:

"How can it be true? Am I a party officer? I am the Vice Chairman. 

"The date set aside for the party to conduct ward congresses have not come up, so I don't see how such thing can happen"

Checks by GRASSROOT REPORTERS indicates that the State Chairman of the party, Alphonsus Eba, in a move to checkmate imposition of delegates, directed all chapter and ward chairmen of the party to constitute stakeholders meetings in their respective wards/polling units, which, according to the Publicity Secretary of the party, Erasmus Ekpang, is "to drive an all inclusive, transparent and democratic process towards the emergence of candidates for the 2023 elections."

The statement direct all leaders to confine themselves to their respective wards.