C'River NDC Disowns Self-Styled Elders’ Forum, Warns Against Faction
Chairman of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Cross River State, Goddie Akpama, has disowned a group claiming to be an Elders’ Forum of the party, describing its formation and activities as illegal and unauthorised.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Akpama said the NDC remains a structured political party governed by its constitution and established procedures, stressing that no recognised Elders’ Forum currently exists within the party in the state.
According to him, no individual or group has the authority to constitute itself into an official organ of the party without the approval and recognition of the duly constituted leadership.
The state chairman described the emergence of the group as a direct challenge to the party’s structure and leadership, insisting that any Elders’ Forum must be formally established and sanctioned in line with the party’s constitution.
He called on members of the group to immediately stop presenting themselves as an official body of the NDC, warning against the formation of political cliques and parallel structures within the party.
Akpama specifically mentioned Mr. Bassey Ekefre, who he alleged is leading the group, urging him and his associates to withdraw from what he described as an unauthorised venture and act in the interest of party unity and discipline.
He further warned that any attempt to hijack the party structure in Cross River State would be resisted through legitimate and constitutional means available to the party leadership.
“The party is supreme. No one is above the party, and no parallel structure will be tolerated,” Akpama stated.
He added that the group does not exist in the party’s official records and cautioned that continued activities under the banner of the purported Elders’ Forum could attract sanctions in line with the party’s disciplinary provisions.
