By Sylvia Etta
The All Progressives Congress, APC, may have expelled nine members in its Cross River state chapter for alleged constitutional breaches and disloyalty to the party.
The nine members were said to have dragged the party to court as a fall out of last June’s state congress of the party. They had also rebuffed all appeals and attempt by the party hierarchy to evolve out of court settlement of the matter.
They are; Mr. Ramsey Tiku Ndep, Pastor Chris Egbe, Mr. Eneji, Innocent Ushie, Mr. James Enyam, Chief Sam Iya and Ms Bassey Ene Ekpo.
Others are; Mr. Anthony Asuquo Ekpenyong, Mr.Obono Onen Obono and Mrs. Rosemary Onah.
Article 9.5 of the party constitution provides that membership of the party ceases for anyone on account of death, resignation or expulsion.
Also Article 21(D) provides that ‘’any member who files an action in court of law against the party or any of its officers on any matter or matters relating to the discharge of the duties of the party without first exhausting the avenues for redress …shall automatically stand expelled from the party…and no appeal against expulsion shall be entertained until the withdrawal of this action from court by the member.’’
The aforementioned members had dragged the party to court alleging the June congress was fraught with discrepancies.
However, following the development, the national echelon of the party through the South South zonal office issued an ultimatum dated September 2, 2014 appealing to the affected members to withdraw the litigation against the party or risk sanction.
The ultimatum which was signed by the National Vice Chairman, South South, Prince Hilliard Eta, stated in part; ‘’I am further directed to inform you that failure to adhere to these directives will lead to full invocation of the relevant sections of our party constitution.’’
Up until now the affected members have failed to comply with the directives. Only three out the twelve members initially involved in the litigation withdrew from the matter whereas the aforementioned nine were obstinate over the directive.
A stalwart of the party who spoke on the matter said the prescription of the constitution has fully applied in the context of the offence adding that anyone dealing with the affected members on behalf of the party does so at his or her own risk.
Attempts to reach Mr. Ramsey Tiku Ndep, who allegedly won the botched elections that created the ongoing imbroglio, to comment on the matter were still futile as at press time.
follow us on twitter @crossriverwatch
Leave feedback about this