BY: VITALIS UGOH, Calabar
Leaders and Stakeholders from the All Progressives’ Congress(APC) in the five Northern Senatorial district of Cross River State, have sued for unity and total reconciliation amongst aggrieved factions in the interest of the party in the forthcoming bye-elections in the zone.
The call was contained in a communique issued and signed by the State Vice Chairman, Northern Senatorial District, Mr. Ushie Innocent and 70 others at the end of the stakeholders meeting held Ikpali Hotel, Ogoja recently.
The meeting passed a vote of confidence in the State Executive Committee led by Hon. Godwin Etim John and the Zonal Executive Committee led by Mr. Innocent Ushie.
The communique said that all issues representing factional party Executives whether at the State, Zone, Chapter or Ward levels of the party stand dissolved into “One Big APC Family”.
It disassociated itself from and reject completely any idea or attempts at dissolution of the standing and legally recognized party organ(s) of the party as “dissolution contradicts provisions of the party Constitution and will negate already restored peace, unity and progress of our great party”.
The communique disassociated itself from and reject in totality any called for zoning for the very close by-elections in the Zone. The wisdom behind our positions is that this will reduce as much as possible, tendencies that will breed bad blood, disaffection, lack of trust and fair play. “Let the people decide” is our slogan.
According to the communique, “All aspirants are advised to go out to the field, make themselves known and popular on ground and win the confidence of the people. This will naturally prepare the ground, make the party popular and increase our chances of winning the general elections”.
It said “for the forthcoming by-elections, what we need as a party is victory at the polls and nothing less”.
The meeting of the APC, Cross River Northern Senatorial Zone, comprised of party leaders and stakeholders from across the five local government areas of Obanliku, Obudu, Bekwarra, Ogoja and Yala.
Notifications for the meeting was duly convened by the APC Vice Chairman North, Mr. Ushie Innocent and invitation circulated to all concerned irrespective of factional divide, the communique added.
The agenda for the meeting were Party Unity/Reconciliation in the Northern Senatorial Zone and the Senatorial bye-elections.
Highlight of the meeting was a one minute silence in honour of departed APC representatives at the Senate and Cross River State House of Assembly Senator Dr. Rose Oko and Dr. Godwin Akwaji respectively.
However, the convener had addressed with all seriousness inappropriate depositions by supporters and media handlers of aspirants and called on all aspirants to advice their supporters against hate speeches, defamation of character of other aspirants and all acts that are inimical to the overall chances of our party.
At the end of the thorough and careful x-ray of issues under deliberations, we the All Progressives Congress (APC), Cross River Northern Senatorial Zone resolved as follows:
That whereas the convened meeting fulfills all legal and party constitutional requirements as stipulated in the Constitution of our party.,
And whereas all Five Local Government Areas of the Senatorial Zone were adequately represented and contributed immensely to the items on the agenda.
And whereas arguments and divergent opinions and views were not only allowed but canvassed, rigorously and thoroughly analyzed and convergence reached on critical issues raised
.And whereas legal opinions and the clear position and provisions of the party Constitution were carefully examined as they affect especially party Organs and structures, we resolve as stated above.
