By Charles Effiong.
As part of measures to reposition the party for optimal performance, the All Progressives Congress, APC in Odot Ward, Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State has endorsed former State Publicity Secretary of the party, Pastor Bassey Ita, as its Leader.
The endorsement was contained in a correspondence endorsed by the Forum of Leaders and Stakeholders of the Ward and communicated to the State Executive Committee, SEC through the State Secretary of the party.
In the said letter dated May 23rd 2024, with the subject “Position of the Ward Leaders and Stakeholders of the APC in Odot Ward in Odukpani Local Government Area,” the party Leaders said the decision was taken at a very crucial meeting on Sunday, May 19,2024 to review the current state of the party in the ward.
They maintained that in the course of the review process, they observed that the party was bedevilled by a complete lack of leadership at the level of the Ward Executive Committee, which has been hijacked by a negligible few individuals who have foisted a “divide and rule” agenda on the majority.
This development, according to the statement has given room for disunity, lack of cohesion and growing disenchantment amongst more members in the ward.
“Leaders and Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Odot Ward, Odukpani Local Government Area met on Sunday, May 19,2024 to review the current state of the party and observed with dismay that the party has been bedevilled by lack of cohesion and team spirit ostensibly occasioned by the divide and rule tactics employed and deployed by a negligible few privileged individuals who have held on albeit abysmally to the administration of the party.
“Unfortunately, the above mentioned situation has been orchestrated by the total absence of leadership at the level of the Ward Executive Committee.”
They however resolved that “henceforth, Pastor Bassey Ita has been unanimously chosen and endorsed as the new Leader of the party in the ward from May 19,2024.”
The statement maintained that Pastor Ita,a former State Publicity Secretary of the party, was chosen after a thorough scrutiny of his personality profile whereupon we trust his abilities, strength of character, leadership experience and impeccable credentials which are basic requirements to lead any organization including the Odot ward APC towards achieving the desired success.”
They also “agreed to rally support” for the new Leader, under what they called “a collective leadership structure, to engender successful administration of the party in the ward.”
In achieving unity, cohesion and a harmonious relationship among members, the Seventeen member leadership said they will explore avenues for achieving cohesion as a boost to further achieving peace and stability in the party.
The statement also remarked that, discipline which is the hallmark for sustaining any serious venture, will be prioritised to guard against unruly and irrational behaviours capable of plunging the party into failure and possible extinction.
Also,”all organs and arms of the party,which had hitherto been dysfunctional and moribund,will be revived and made to work at full capacity under the new leadership, to guarantee success in future electioneering exercises,”the statement maintained.
Ita,a Journalist, Politician of the Progressives bent, has also worked at the National Secretariat of the APC ,as Director Media and Chief Press Secretary to former Acting National Chairman of the party, Ntufam Hilliard Eta.
Seventeen Leaders and Stakeholders drawn from different Units, Arms and Support Groups of the Party in the Ward endorsed the position paper.
