- Safiu Kehinde
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Cross River has debunked claims that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is responsible for the party’s internal crisis in the state.
Dr John Ogar, the State chairman of the party, made this known during a press briefing in Calabar while reacting to an earlier altercation with some alleged members of the party in the state.
According to reports, the leadership of the party in the state had in the early hours of Tuesday disrupted an event planned by some alleged party members without proper authorisation.
Represented by Dr McFarlane Ejah, Vice-Chairman of ADC in the Central Senatorial District, Ogar insisted that the ruling APC had no involvement on the issue.
He said the party remained committed to people-centred developments and democratic principles.
He maintained that the party in Cross River had no factions and operated strictly according to its constitution.
Ogar added that the state chapter recognised only one leadership structure in the state and condemned actions of individuals allegedly organising meetings in the name of the party without authorisation.
Ogar described such action as unacceptable and capable of causing confusion among party members.
He explained that a planned inauguration of a Membership Mobilisation, Registration and Revalidation (MMR) committee by unknown individuals triggered the briefing.
‘’The composition of the committee was not submitted to or approved by the state leadership of ADC; the group also failed to recognise the existing party structure in the state.
“This move is an attempt by some individuals to hijack the party for personal interests,” he said.
Ogar explained that a formal complaint was submitted to the Commissioner of Police regarding the planned meeting, who invited the organisers of the meeting, and held discussions with party representatives.
He said that despite the discussion, the organisers reportedly insisted on proceeding with the meeting.
“The party leadership intervened to stop the meeting scheduled to hold at Ascot Event Centre in Calabar because ADC abhors violence and remains committed to peaceful political engagement,” he noted.
Ogar challenged the individuals allegedly behind the move to openly declare their intentions.
He noted that the party had earlier set up a fusion and engagement committee to accommodate groups interested in joining ADC.
He said that some groups had worked harmoniously with the party leadership; however alleged that a bloc largely made up of dissatisfied members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had refused to cooperate.
Ogar said some individuals attempting to join the party had not followed the constitutional registration process, noting that membership registration in ADC begins at the ward level.
“Former Gov. Donald Duke is an example of a leader who followed the party’s registration process by registering at his ward in line with party guidelines,” he said.