OBUDU, Nigeria – The chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Utugwang, Utugwang North Ward, in Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State, Paul Akpanke, has been suspended by his ward executive committee.
The suspension, endorsed by the Utugwang ward chairman and his executive committee, accuses Mr Akpanke of financial impropriety, misconduct, and disregard for party rules and directives.
The suspension notice, signed by ninety ward executives and addressed to the chapter chairman of the party, was made effective from Friday, June 23, 2023.
In the notice, the executive committee members express their lack of confidence in Akpanke’s leadership, accusing him of high-handedness and an inability to move the party forward, which they believe contributed to the party’s poor performance in the recent general elections.
A key allegation against the suspended ward chairman is his violation of the APC constitution by serving in office for a third consecutive term, which goes against the stipulation in Article 17 (iii) that limits elected or appointed party officers to two terms.
The notice reads in part, “Contrary to Article 17 (iii) of the APC constitution, which forbids elected or appointed party officers to stay in office for more than two terms, the Utugwang North Ward Chairman has flagrantly disregarded this by perpetuating himself in office for a third term. He is currently serving an illegal third term in office.”
Moreover, Akpanke has been accused of factionalizing the party by refusing to collaborate with the executive committee and stakeholders in making critical decisions, thereby creating divisions within the party.
This, according to the suspension notice, was detrimental to the party’s performance in the last election where the party won only three out of thirteen polling units in the ward.
The executive committee members stated in the notice, “Similarly, in contravention of Article 21 (vi), of the party’s constitution, the Ward Chairman had factionalised the party by refusing to work with his executive Committee and stakeholders in taking critical decisions that concern the party. He created a faction with just two stakeholders who are responsible for the poor performance of the party in the last election.”
As of the time of reporting, efforts to reach Mr. Paul Akpanke for comments were unsuccessful as his phone line was unavailable.
The suspension marks a significant development within the APC in Cross River State, and it remains to be seen how the situation will evolve in the coming days.
