Cross River NDC Leader, Executive Committee at Odds Over Disloyal Behavior

The Cross River State Executive Council of the Nigeria Democratic Congress has expressed its lack of trust in its State Chairman, Goddie Akpama, due to accusations of engaging in anti-party activities, having a conflict of interest, financial irregularities, and abuse of office.

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This decision was outlined in a communiqué released on Friday, which was signed by the party's Deputy State Chairman, Mark Ujor, as well as other officials including Publicity Secretary, Cletus Amawu; Women Leader, Adim Henshaw; Legal Adviser, Ebaye Akonjom; and Financial Secretary, Ettan Mark.

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A copy of the communiqué was obtained by Sunday PUNCH on Saturday, providing insight into the council's concerns about Akpama's actions.

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The executives specifically pointed out that Akpama received salaries from the state government until May 2026, despite claiming he had resigned, which they viewed as a conflict of interest that raised questions about his eligibility to lead an opposition party in the state.

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However, Akpama denied these allegations, stating that they were false and politically motivated, and claimed he had resigned from his state government appointment on February 16, 2026.

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Akpama also mentioned that he had documentary evidence, including his resignation letter and receipts showing that salaries mistakenly paid to him after his resignation had been refunded, to support his claims.

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The executives further accused Akpama of altering the State Executive Council list without consultation and imposing party officials, which they saw as a breach of party procedures.

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According to the communiqué, Akpama had also managed delegates' funds and other party resources without transparency and had failed to convene a meeting of the State Executive Council since the state congress.

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The executives appealed to the party's National Working Committee to investigate the allegations and determine whether constitutional procedures were breached and whether party funds were properly managed.

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

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The communiqué emphasized that the future of the Nigeria Democratic Congress in Cross River State should not be jeopardized by internal disputes or unconstitutional practices.

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Akpama insisted that the allegations against him were untrue, stating that his resignation letter and refund receipts existed, and that his critics were promoting a false narrative to score political points.

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

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Akpama accused his critics of selectively releasing documents, such as his payslips, while withholding others that confirmed his resignation and refund of the salaries.

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He also rejected allegations of anti-party activities, arguing that disagreements over the party's direction should not be misinterpreted as disloyalty.

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Akpama emphasized that supporting a political position within a democratic party does not make someone a traitor, and that character assassination and manipulation of facts were not acceptable democratic practices.