BY UBON EKANEM, CALABAR –Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, has tasked the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s Constitution Review Committee to introduce workable provisions that will guarantee internal democracy within the ruling party.
He also canvassed that the party must strive on integrity by using political power for the common good, rather than private gains, especially in terms of honesty, accountability, and consistent ethical behaviour among the members.
Speaking through the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly (CRSHA), Rt. Hon Elvert Ayambem at the South South geo-political zone public hearing in Calabar, Governor Otu further charged the Committee to create room for effective grassroots participation in leadership at all levels.
He said with the APC’s membership strength growing by the day, only a broad based leadership structure is required to checkmate incessant agitation for inclusive leadership by the party members.
The Governor urged the Committee members to take a cue from the current federal character representation in the country and ensure the Party structure at the centre is all inclusive through state by state representation.
In his remarks at the Forum, National Vice Chairman of APC, South South Zone, Hon. Chief Victor Giadom urged the Committee members to approach their job with all sense of responsibility and dedication.
While stressing that the task of nation building is a process and not a destination, Giadom said the APC must work on strengthening democratic principles in relations to its internal workings to ensure members have a say in candidates’ selection, leadership, and policy decisions.
Also speaking on the sidelines with newsmen, Leader of the APC Constitution Review Committee, Barrister Alphonsus Eba expressed dismay at the lack of appointment of Cross River State indigenes as Chief Executive Officers, Director Generals or Managing Directors of Federal Boards, Departments and Agencies.
Eba, popularly called APC’s political evangelist, said the situation is even most worrisome given that the State has been acting as the ruling Party’s burden bearer.
Barrister Eba, who is also the Cross River State APC Chairman, noted that often times, Governor Otu had been called upon at odd periods for emergency national party assignment and yet the full benefits of such tasks are not reflected in appointments at the federal level
He said that things need to change for the overall good of Cross Riverians and the State in general.
