APC crises worsen in Cross River

The crisis bedeviling the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River, is worsening as a faction of the party has rejected results of the state congress held in Calabar, on Monday. Some aggrieved APC members alleged that the committee that conducted the ‘controversial’ state congress, subverted the party’s guidelines and provisions of its constitution. In a petition jointly signed by 26 aspirants that participated in the botched state congress of May 8, 2014 claimed they were intentionally excluded from the re-scheduled elections. According to them, those that did not take part in the inconclusive elections were hastily cleared to contest, noting that the action of the state congress committee had ‘set the stage for division and disaffection in the APC in Cross River.’ The aggrieved APC members further alleged that Mr Usani Usani declared state chairman of the party never took part in the botched congress and ought not to have been allowed to contest during the re-scheduled congress. According to them, Mr Usani who emerged chairman did not participate in the previous elections ‘never paid, obtained, signed and returned nomination forms at close of nomination.’ One of the aggrieved members, Prince Frederick Atep alleged that Usani was imposed on them by Governor Rotimi Amaechi, adding that such act by the governor was capable of tearing the party apart. The aggrieved party members, however, disassociated themselves from Monday’s state congress of the party, describing it as a ‘charade.’ “This is totally rejected by us as it is unlawful and unconstitutional. We insist on constitutionality and Rule of Law.” They have, however, filed a suit with No HC/229/2014 at the Calabar High Court, challenging the outcome of the congress. When contacted, Mr Usani said he would not join issues with anybody, and that ‘at the appropriate time, the party will react.’