By Magnus Effiong
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River state has given appointees who defected with Gov Ben Ayade from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and are yet to fully register up to the end of December 2021 to formally register their membership or be sacked.
In a press conference in Calabar, Tuesday, the State Chairman of the party, Barr Alphonsus Eba, said the APC constitution prohibits members of the opposition party from taking any position in the APC government.
“Article 9 section 5 of the APC construction which abhors members of our party from taking appointment in the opposition government will be followed strictly.
“Therefore, in line with the constitution, non members of our party will not be given appointment. As a party, we want to make it known today that all heads of government at the local government and State levels must follow the provision of our constitution.
“With effect from January 1, 2022, those appointees of government that are yet to formally register as APC members and fully participate in the activities of the party shall cease to hold their respective offices.
“We therefore call on local government chairmen, the State Auditor General and Accountant General to take note that any of the about 8000 appointees of government who is yet to be registered as APC members must be relieved of his or her appointment with effect from January 1, 2022.
“This is the discipline we are bringing to the party for the benefit of the APC members who have worked, members who built the house that we now call our homes.”
Eba, who was flanked by other State executive committee members of the party and other stakeholders, also called on relevant authorities to ensure that the 500 names announced as appointees when Gov Ben Ayade cross-carpeted to the APC, are paid.
“Effect must be given to the 500 names that the Governor appointed when we socketed to the centre. Relevant authorities must, between now and December 25, 2021 ensure that they are paid else we shall invoke section 21 of the APC constitution,” the Chairman stated.
