By Abasi Ita
Tension is building within the Abi Local Government chapter of the All Progressives Congress in Cross River State following allegations that the Council Chairman, Hon Egbala Bassey, unilaterally imposed a Chapter Chairman ahead of the party’s congress.
Concerned stakeholders have rejected the move and appealed to Governor Bassey Otu to intervene before the situation escalates into a full-blown crisis.
In a letter signed by the group’s executive members, the stakeholders accused the Council Chairman of taking unilateral decisions that they claim are undermining the party’s structure at both ward and chapter levels. They stressed that Abi Local Government is not the personal estate of any individual and that decisions on zoning and party leadership must involve broad consultation with key leaders and stakeholders across the area.
The group expressed particular concern over the constitution of a Chapter Zoning Committee without proper consultation, insisting that such a sensitive matter requires inclusiveness, consensus, and legitimacy. They warned that any committee formed without wide endorsement lacks legitimacy and may not command acceptance among party members.
They also alleged that a similar issue occurred during the ward congress process when the governor’s name was reportedly invoked in compiling ward lists through a non-transparent process. The stakeholders noted that the governor later publicly distanced himself from the claims.
Describing the current development as intolerable, the group said it threatens the political stability Abi has enjoyed over the years. They formally rejected the alleged imposition and called on the State Party Executive to review the matter immediately.
The core concern of the stakeholders is that Pastor Joshua Igboke, the current Chapter Chairman of the APC, should be returned for a second term. Instead, they allege that Hon Egbala Bassey handpicked a new Chapter Chairman without consulting key party members.
The stakeholders emphasised that they are prepared to pursue all legitimate and constitutional avenues to address the matter if urgent steps are not taken to restore due process, inclusiveness, and internal democracy within the Abi chapter. They appealed to the governor to intervene and ensure transparency and fairness in the party’s leadership processes.