Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Obubra have disowned a communique in which the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr Emmanuel Ironbar, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Owan-Enoh and others were accused of interfering in the internal affairs of the party, especially as they bother on appointments in the local government area.
A communique signed by the chapter executive of the Party earlier made public by a source within the Party, had indicated that the Party held a meeting in which issue of undue interference in the internal affairs of the APC by the top state government officials was frowned at.
But reacting in a statement signed by Deacon Dennis Egor, Chapter Chairman and Joseph Eyaba, Chapter Secretary, on Thursday, the Party claimed that the communique that was made public is “doctored” and that the stakeholders mentioned were never in attendance at the said meeting.
The statement titled, BASELESS RUMOURS OF APC MEETING AND INSINUATIONS OF EXTERNAL INTERFERENCE IN APPOINTMENT MATTERS IN OBUBRA: SETTING THE RECORDS STRAIGHT, reads in part:
“We, the All Progressive Congress (APC), Obubra Chapter, would like to set the record straight regarding recent rumors circulating the media space about a purported meeting where we allegedly accused Governor Otu’s Chief of Staff, SSG, and others of interfering in appointment matters. The said publication alleged further that notable leaders of Obubra such as Rt. Hon. Mike Etaba, Rt. Hon. Fabian Okpa, Hon. Chief Ernest Irek, Hon Solomon Ekam, Bishop Chris Obasse, Prof. Friday Aje, Chief Alex Irek, Dr. Attan Egor, Dr. Adomi Jimita, Dr Bassey Tom Agara, Mr. Leonard Ogwa and members of the Executive Committee of APC, Obubra chapter were present in the meeting. We categorically deny these unfounded allegations and deem it necessary
to address the situation with a rejoinder.
“First and foremost, we want to clarify that there was no meeting held by the APC Obubra Chapter where such accusations were made against the Chief of Staff to the Governor, SSG, Chief Higgins Peter or any other individual. Undoubtedly, there was an enlarged Exco meeting comprising the eleven ward chairmen, the chapter chairman, Secretary and two members of State Exco from Obubra that resulted in the release of the communique that is already in the custody of the authorities, SSG, chief of staff, speaker and even the governor; and the doctored document was never part of it. We merely met as an organ of the party to put an end to the perceived division within the APC Obubra chapter and would be glad to avail the public the true communique for the avoidance of doubt. The claims circulating in the social media are entirely false and should be disregarded. Any reports or statements alleging any other meeting or communique are the handiwork of mischief makers who seek to sow discord and create a disunited front within our party.
“We firmly maintain that our party upholds the principles of fairness, transparency, and due process in all matters, including appointments. We believe in meritocracy as the guiding principle for appointment
procedures, and we give due consideration to the best interests of the people we serve.
“Let the public be cautious and discerning when consuming information from unidentified or unknown media sources fed by a faceless group masquerading as Obubra APC and hiding under anonymity to cause mayhem in the party with the objective of setting up Obubra against the leadership of the state. It is crucial to verify the authenticity and credibility of news before accepting and spreading it. Spreading unverified rumors only serves to undermine the integrity of our
democratic processes and causes unnecessary confusion and division.
“As a responsible party, it is our duty to engage in constructive dialogue
and address issues based on facts and evidence. We encourage open and transparent discussion to foster unity within our party and the wider political landscape of Obubra.
“Conclusively, we want to reiterate that, the APC Obubra chapter did not hold a meeting, where accusations of interference in appointment matters were made against Governor Otu’s Chief of Staff, SSG, or any other individuals. We consider these rumours baseless and the work of mischief makers. We remain committed to serving the people of Obubra APC with integrity, fairness, and dedication.”
