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Dr. MacFarlane Ejah, Chairman of the Fusion and Engagement Committee of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Cross River State, has accused members linked to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) bloc within the coalition of bringing internal conflict into the party.
Speaking on behalf of the ADC State Chairman, Dr. John Ogar, during a press conference in Calabar, Ejah said the recent tension within the party could be traced to individuals associated with the PDP faction in the coalition.
The briefing came after a clash between supporters of former governor Senator Liyel Imoke and former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Usani, and those loyal to Ogar over a proposed party meeting in the state.
Ejah alleged that some individuals attempting to take control of the party structure had neither resigned from the PDP nor officially registered as ADC members in their wards.
He cautioned that the party would not accept what he described as attempts to impose leadership or transfer a culture of impunity into the ADC.
“We reject impunity and imposition. We will not tolerate actions or attitudes that undermine the will of the people,” he said.
According to him, other political blocs that joined the coalition had been working smoothly with the party leadership, unlike the PDP group, which he accused of causing friction.
Ejah also criticised the group’s move to inaugurate a Membership Mobilisation, Registration and Revalidation (MMR) committee across the 18 local government areas in the state.
He said the action was not approved by the state leadership and described the committee as one that is not recognised within the ADC structure in Cross River.
“The planned inauguration of the MMR committee by a group unknown to the state leadership is an affront to the constitutional structure of the party,” he said, adding that the ADC already has an ongoing membership campaign that has attracted thousands of new members.
Ejah maintained that the ADC in Cross River is not divided but stressed that the party would resist any effort by non-members to organise meetings or activities under its name.
He added that although the party rejects violence, it would not allow individuals who are not recognised members to operate under its platform.
Meanwhile, addressing journalists on Tuesday, Usani Usani, the National Vice Chairman of the ADC, said the Mobilisation, Registration and Revalidation (MMR) committee was created to strengthen the party in the state.
He assured that the process would accommodate all interests while aligning with the party’s national programme.