APC has no factions in Cross River – Chairman
Eta said this in Calabar on Friday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
He
said that the inability to fill the chairmanship position in the state
vacated by Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr Usani Uguru, did not
translate to crisis in the state as being speculated.
Eta said: “we do not have any faction in APC in Cross River. It is wrong to say that the minister and I do not see eye-to-eye.
“The
minister and I are political associates. We have never been enemies,
but that is not to say that we cannot disagree on policies.
“I hold very strong views on many issues. The minister also happens to be a man who holds very strong views on many issues.
“Therefore, it cannot be imagined that these kinds of people cannot have disagreements bordering on policy issues.
“Disagreement
does not mean factionalism. One of the pillars of democracy and
politics is the capacity for crisis management and resolution.
“So
what gives anyone the impression that APC in Cross River is in
factions. The word factionalism has been bandied around for too long
without anyone caring to ask the actual meaning of the word.
“All the noise about factionalism in the party is the handiwork of the dying PDP. They are looking for who they will die with.’’
According to him, the APC is intact and mobilising for the forthcoming local government election in the state and for 2019.
The
chairman described the recent defection of some prominent members of
the PDP to APC in the state as “good omen’’, adding that rather than
cause friction, it would strengthen the party.
“Our
arms are always wide open to welcome every new member to APC,
especially in Cross River. The Constitution of Nigeria guarantees
freedom of association.
“We
cannot stop anyone interested to come to APC, because after all, this
will be the first time in the state for people of Cross River to join
the progressives, ‘’ he stated.
He
debunked the allegations that many of the defectors to the APC were
those found to be corrupt, maintaining that it was mere blackmail.
Eta challenged the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to show proof of their achievements in the past two years.
“I
challenge the PDP-led government to tell Cross River people what it has
done with all the bailout funds that it has so far collected from the
Federal Government.
“The
government should tell the people of Cross River how much it has
collected and specific projects it has spent the money on, ‘’ he said.
(NAN)
POSTED BY:OPUOMONI PRIYE
DATE:05/06/2017
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