Nigerian Democratic Congress picks Cross River leaders, throws weight behind Obi and Kwankwaso

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The Nigeria Democratic Congress has held its state congress in Cross River State, with Goddy Akpama emerging as chairman.

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Akpama, a former chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, was elected through a consensus arrangement supervised by the Independent National Electoral Commission at the Chinese Restaurant, Cross River State Housing Estate, Calabar, on Monday.

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The congress was conducted by a committee led by Christian Gekpe, alongside Emmanuel Yakurr and Gabriel Abu, while Clement Agiangie chaired the Appeal Committee.

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Speaking after his inauguration, Akpama pledged to justify the confidence reposed in him and promote inclusiveness in the party.

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“I will not betray the confidence reposed in me. I will lift the party to a higher pedestal. The policy thrust of the NDC under my leadership would be ’inclusive governance,” he said.

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He urged party members to remain united and focused ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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“Shun whatever defeatist tendency that you uphold. We must work with the mentality of conquering other political opponents in the 2027 general elections”, he added.

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Akpama also pledged to work with party stakeholders to secure victory at the national level, backing Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as the party’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

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“I will join hands with other party members to ensure that our presidential candidates, Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, emerge as the next president and vice president of Nigeria in 2027”, he emphasised.

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In his remarks, the Director General of the Henry Siereke Dickson Foundation, Clement Agiangie, called for unity among members, warning against undue influence in party affairs.

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“All hands must be on deck in order to produce the next leaders in the country. I want to warn that our members should not allow money bags to hijack the structures of the party”, he noted.

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Also speaking, Duke commended members for their turnout, claiming the party had witnessed a surge in registrations.

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“In the last 24 hours, over 12 million people have registered. The turnout has almost crashed the party’s portal”, he added.

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