The All Progressives Congress (APC) has concluded its ward and local government congresses, describing the exercise as the most peaceful and transparent process ever held in Cross River State, southern Nigeria.
The chairman of the Cross River State Congress Committee, Mr. Samuel Yarnap, made the declaration during a press conference shortly after the concluded congresses in Calabar, the state capital.
Yarnap, who described the congresses as a model of transparency, discipline and unity, dismissed reports that election materials were hijacked by the Returning Officer for Ikom local government area in the central district of Cross River State.
He said, “since we arrived on the 17th and monitored the ward congress on the 18th through to the local government congress, what we have witnessed might be the best congress ever conducted in the entire country.”
Maintained Decorum
The chairman reiterated that the exercise was devoid of rancour, violence or parallel structures across the 18 local government areas, commending party members for maintaining decorum and loyalty throughout the process.
Yarnap insisted, “it has been very peaceful. The party members have shown uncommon coordination and support. We are impressed and I am very sure the National Chairman is equally proud.
“We had sent in real-time updates and video evidence to the national leadership. He responded to us that he is proud and happy that Cross River State did not disappoint at all,” said the chairman.
Yarnap reaffirmed, “we went round before concluding. What we have seen is transparency and order. Cross River State has conducted the best congress. It was peaceful, coordinated and credible.”
Speaking further, the Chairman of the committee attributed the success recorded in Cross River State to the efforts of Governor Bassey Otu, who through his People First agenda had enshrined an enduring atmosphere of peace.
“We have a peaceful, God-fearing governor and the people love him. That spirit was evident everywhere,” he said.
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Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu, who took time out to monitor the congresses, said “the exercise has been very smooth and peaceful. There were no hitches or problems anywhere at all.”
Otu maintained that the unity displayed by party members was a reflection of a shared commitment to national political objectives.
“You can see that all our party members are peaceful. The officials who witnessed it are very satisfied with the exercise,” Otu said.
Addressing Ikom Allegations
Meanwhile, the report that the Returning Officer for Ikom local government area absconded with the materials as alleged by the Council Chairman, Mrs. Mercy Nsor, were dismissed by party officials and members of the monitoring committee.
The stakeholders argued that the ward and local government congresses were held in line with approved guidelines, duly completed attendance registers and in the presence of accredited officials.
The party chieftains who asserted that the entire process in Ikom was peaceful, maintained that the allegation of stalled congresses were false, a misrepresentation of the general consensus and inconsistent with verifiable evidence.