By Abasi Ita
The State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Cross River, Hon. Chris Etta, has urged newly inaugurated chapter chairmen to uphold transparency, respect party supremacy, and place collective interest above personal loyalties as they assume office ahead of key political activities.
Etta gave the charge on Thursday in Calabar during the inauguration of the party’s local government chapter chairmen. He reminded them that their emergence at the grassroots level was a call to service, not an opportunity to advance the agenda of any sponsor or political benefactor.
He stressed that as representatives of the party in their respective council areas, the chairmen must conduct themselves with integrity and remain accountable to party faithful. According to him, their election reflected the confidence reposed in them by members, a trust they must not betray.
“Your election is a call to duty, not to serve the interest of any godfather or to build personal power. You must work as a team with your executives,” Etta said. “The party must come first above any sponsor. Make yourselves accessible to your people.”
The chairman further urged the officials to commence work immediately in view of the busy political calendar leading to the 2027 general elections. He noted that preparations for the zonal congress and the national convention were already underway and would require coordinated grassroots mobilization.
“There is no time to waste. You must inaugurate your ward executives this weekend and report back to the secretariat by Monday,” he directed.
Responding on behalf of the chapter chairmen, Chief Kevin Ojong pledged loyalty to the party and its leadership. He assured members that the new officials understood the responsibility placed on them and were prepared to deliver on their mandate.
“We have been given a clear mandate and a milestone to achieve. We will do all that is expected of us in the interest of the party. Our goal is to strengthen the APC in Cross River,” Ojong said.
The inauguration comes days after the party elected a new 35 member State Executive Committee to manage its affairs for the next four years, signaling what leaders described as a renewed push for unity and consolidation within the party structure.