Cross River NDC chairman, exco bicker over anti-party activities

The Cross River State Executive Council of the Nigeria Democratic Congress has passed a vote of no confidence in its State Chairman, Goddie Akpama, accusing him of anti-party activities, conflict of interest, financial irregularities and abuse of office.

The decision was contained in a communiqué issued on Friday and signed by the party’s Deputy State Chairman, Mark Ujor; Publicity Secretary, Cletus Amawu; Women Leader, Adim Henshaw; Legal Adviser, Ebaye Akonjom; and Financial Secretary, Ettan Mark.

 A copy of the communiqué was made available to Sunday PidomNigeria on Saturday.

The executives alleged that Akpama continued to receive salaries from the state government until May 2026 despite claiming he had resigned his appointment, describing the development as a conflict of interest that raised questions about his eligibility to lead an opposition political party in the state.

But Akpama described the allegations as false and politically motivated, insisting that he resigned his appointment with the state government on February 16, 2026.

He said he had documentary evidence, including his resignation letter and official receipts showing that salaries mistakenly paid to him after his resignation had been refunded.

The executives also accused Akpama of altering the State Executive Council list after the state congress without consultation, imposing party officials, sidelining elected executives and failing to harmonise and publish ward and local government structures.

The communiqué read, “Akpama managed delegates’ funds and other party resources without transparency, constituted screening committees without constitutional authority, admitted persons of questionable loyalty into the party structure and had failed to convene a meeting of the State Executive Council since the state congress.

“We are appealing to the party’s National Working Committee to investigate the allegations and determine whether constitutional procedures were breached, whether party funds were properly managed and whether the chairman abused his office.”

The executives also called for the restoration of the original State Executive Council structure, verification of the membership status of all state executive members and urgent intervention to restore unity within the party.

“The future of the Nigeria Democratic Congress in Cross River State must not be jeopardised by internal disputes, personal interests or unconstitutional practices,” the communiqué stated.

But the chairman insisted that there was no truth in the allegations.

“My resignation letter exists. The refund receipts exist. The truth exists. What does not exist is the fantasy being promoted by those who are desperate to score cheap political points,” Akpama said in a statement.

He explained that after noticing salary payments continued following his resignation, he refunded the money to the state government and obtained official receipts.

He accused his critics of circulating copies of his payslips while withholding documents confirming his resignation and the refund of the salaries.

The chairman also rejected allegations of anti-party activities, saying disagreements over the party’s direction should not be interpreted as disloyalty.

“Supporting a political position within a democratic party does not make anyone a traitor. Disagreement is part of democracy. What is not part of democracy is character assassination, blackmail and the deliberate manipulation of facts,” he said.