IKOM — The Chapter Congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) scheduled to hold in Ikom Local Government Area on Saturday was abruptly stalled following allegations that the designated Returning Officers absconded with election materials.
Stakeholders in Ikom LGA informed our reporter that the Congress did not hold, contrary to reports circulating in some quarters. They alleged that the Returning Officer, Hon. Abubakar Efoli, alongside two Supervisors, Mr. Okoi Ojah and Barr. Bassey Asuquo, left the venue under unclear circumstances while consultations were ongoing.
According to party stakeholders, discussions were being held at the Divisional Police Officer's office over a harmonized consensus list when the officials reportedly exited the premises without notice. Their sudden disappearance, sources said, created confusion among party faithful and disrupted the planned exercise.
It was further alleged that the officials had earlier collected Congress materials from the party's State Secretariat in Calabar before proceeding to Ikom. However, they were accused of failing to follow established party guidelines for conducting the Congress, including coordinating with local authorities to ensure adequate security arrangements.
Some stakeholders also claimed that the Returning Officer informed them he had been instructed by the State Secretariat not to conduct the Congress in Ikom LGA. This claim has not been independently verified as of the time of filing this report.
Reacting to the development, the Executive Chairman of Ikom LGA, Hon. Pst. Mercy Nsor, assured party members that the leadership of the party under the Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Edet Otu, remains committed to protecting the collective interest of party faithful in the area.
She urged members to remain calm and law-abiding, expressing confidence that the party's state and national leadership would address the situation appropriately.
As of press time, there has been no official statement from the State Party Secretariat regarding the allegations. Party members in Ikom have called for clarity and swift action to prevent further tension and to ensure the integrity of the party's internal processes.
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