Yakurr APC Stakeholders Warn Council Chair Against Pre-Congress Meetings
Hannah ARIKPO
Prior to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ward Congresses scheduled to hold across the State, Stakeholders of the party in Yakurr local government of Cross River State have warned the Council Chairman, Hon. Yibala Igiri Inyang of allegedly convening what they termed "Pre-Congress" meeting at Council hall, Ugep.
The meeting was said to draw selected members from various wards that make up the local government area for briefing before the main ward Congresses.
Some Party Faithfuls noted that while such consultation and engagement remain essential pillars of party democracy, it was necessary to express their deep concern regarding the structure, composition, and intent of the said meeting, adding that the caption and framework of the meeting appear fundamentally misconceived.
According to them, "In a
properly constituted party system, the authority to convene ward stakeholders rests squarely within the party leadership not through selective arrangements that may undermine the constitutional role of the chapter party chairman."
One of the Respondents, Monday Elemi of Npolo/ Ukpawen Ward stated, "It would have been more appropriate for the Chairman to call his political allies for consultation, rather than projecting a unilateral stakeholders’ invitation that inadvertently sidesteps established party hierarchy."
They noted that most party members perceived to the party, within the ward were conspicuously excluded. Such selection raises legitimate questions about fairness, inclusivity, and democratic integrity.
APC remains a party governed by its constitution, not by camps, alignments, or selective recognition and the Congress remains supreme.
Another respondent who preferred anonymity, emphasized, any meeting that excludes duly recognized party members and structures cannot and will not have legal or binding effect on the outcome of the Ward Congress. The Congress is the only legitimate platform empowered to determine the leadership of Ward Executive. We reject any form of contrived credentials arrangement designed to undermine the integrity of the Congress.
When contacted, a prominent APC Stakeholder in the area and former Presidential Aide, Obol Okoi Obono-Obla, states, "The Chairman of Yakurr Local Government Area, Hon. Yibala Inyang, has no authority or right to invite anyone from any Ward, not even from my ward, the Ijiman Council, under any guise, to attend a purported meeting to discuss matters concerning our Congress. He should confine himself to his own Council Ward—Ajere in Ekori. The Ijiman APC will meet and elect our ward executive without interference from any individual." Obono‑Obla re-echoed.
