Only One Aspirant To Purchase APC Nomination Form In C'River As Party Mulls Consensus, Constitutes Committee

By Obio Monday

 As the race for who emerges the flag-bearer of the All Progressives Congress gathers momentum,  the party has revealed that only one out of the many aspirants that have so far declared for the 2023 governorship in Cross River State, would eventually pick the party's nomination form.

Aspirants that have so far declared under the APC are: Engr. Ben Etim Akak, Mr. Asuquo Ekpenyong (Jnr.), Chief Chris Agara, Senator John Owan-Enoh, Pastor Usani Usani, Prof. Eyo Etim Nyong, Engr. Nsa Ekpenyong, Arc. Bassey Ndem and Prince Godswill Edward Osim.

APC had, in a statement by the state Publicity Secretary, Erasmus Ekpang, last week, called on all aspirants not to buy forms until after consultations with major stakeholders and caucuses at the ward and local government levels.

The party added that there is need to dialogue with every family member with a view to achieving a harmonious, friendly and win-win arrangements for every member of the APC.

The party held a meeting with all the governorship aspirants last week at the party's secretariat.

Revealing the outcome of the meeting with the aspirants, Mr. Ekpang, in another statement on Monday, May 2, said the aspirants "mandated the Party to purchase only one nomination form and drive a transparent process at arriving at victory for the Party".

He went further to announce the constitution of an adhoc committee which would prune down the list of aspirants and possibly come up with a consensus candidate.

Members of the committee include: Sen. Victor Ndoma Egba (Chairman), High Chief Edem Duke (Member), Mr Eddy Achi ,(Member), Elder Bolaji Anani (Member),  Mr. Odey Ochicha (Member), Prince Ebuta Ayuk (Member) and Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa as Secretary.

The statement reads:

"As a follow up to the commitment of our great Party towards achieving an all inclusive, transparent, fair and democratic process that will lead to the emergence of an acceptable Governorship Candidate of our Party and strengthened by the resolution of all the Governorship aspirants in its meeting of 26th April, 2022 wherein they mandated the Party to purchase only one nomination form and drive a transparent process at arriving at victory for the Party, the State Chairman has approved the constitution of a special Ad-hoc Committee to interface with all aspirants for the office of Governor and prune down the number in each Senatorial district to two persons. Members of the Committee are as follows: 

Sen. Victor Ndoma Egba - Chairman

High Chief Edem Duke - Member

Mr Eddy Achi - Member

Elder Bolaji Anani - Member

 Mr. Odey Ochicha - Member 

Prince Ebuta Ayuk - Member

Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa - Secretary.

"The Committee will be inaugurated on Wednesday by 4:00pm. and will commence its meeting immediately after inauguration with all aspirants who are expected to present themselves with relevant credentials and evidence of up to date financial membership of the party in tandem with Article 9.3 of the party's 2022 constitution.

"The Committee is expected to submit its report by 12:00 noon on Friday.

"There shall also be a State Caucus meeting that will hold on Saturday by 7:00pm at Perigrino hall, Governor's Lodge to be attended by only State Caucus members as stipulated in Article 12.10 of the March 2022 amended Constitution of the Party.

"In the meantime, all aspirants are enjoined to continue consultations with the State Executive Committee of the Party and various Statutory Local Government Areas caucuses that have been in existence including the recently co-opted members. 

"The Party wishes to once again assure all aspirants of a level playing field and they are kindly requested to play by the rules."