C’River APC Factional Crisis Over, But…

Chiemeka ADINDU, Calabar

Factional leaders of the APC in Cross River State chapter have resolved the crisis rocking the party. But in resolving their feud, they did not say who the state chairman is, between John Ochala and Etim John.

The duo only signed a document in which they said there was no more leadership crisis in the state chapter of the party.

In the state joint statement, they said “the forthcoming senatorial district and state house of assembly bye elections is uppermost in our minds and have resolved to work for credible and acceptable candidates that will give us the needed victory in the bye elections.

“The modalities for harmonizing the state Executives shall be made known to the party faithful after the forthcoming bye elections in Cross River North. Our focus for now is to deliver our candidates for the Cross River North senatorial district seat and the Obudu State constituency”

They advised all chapters to work harmoniously to enable victory in the forthcoming by-elections, especially for the Cross River North Senatorial District.  They also called on the party’s faithful and loyalists to be patient as they hoped for God to grant them peaceful coexistence in the state.

Recall that prior to the 2019 general elections, leadership crises have bedevilled the state chapter of the party. The lingering power tussle, according to major stakeholders of the party, has made the party to record major setbacks in achieving her mandate in the state.

Various moves have been made by the party’s National Working Committee, NWC, to bring the crisis to a halt, but all to no avail. Over a month ago, the now dissolved NWC of the party had affirmed Ochala as the authentic acting chairman of the party.

They said the party’s position was affirmed by a Court of Appeal judgment delivered on 23rd April 2020, which recognizes the Sir John Ochala-led Cross River State Executive as authentic and legitimate.

According to the statement, “In a unanimous judgment delivered by Justices Emmanuel Akomaye Agim, Adamu Jauro and Peter Olabisi Ige, the Court of Appeal affirmed the Sir John Ochala-led All Progressives Congress, APC, Cross River State Executive as the authentic and recognized executive in the state.”

Despite the court ruling, John still carried on, posing as chairman of the party.