The Cross River State Executive Council of the Nigeria Democratic Congress has passed a vote of no confidence in the party’s State Chairman, Mr Goddie Akpama, over allegations of misconduct, financial impropriety and actions considered detrimental to the party.
The resolution was contained in a communiqué issued after a meeting of the state executive and jointly signed by the Deputy State Chairman, Sir Mark Ujor; State Publicity Secretary, Comrade Cletus Albert Amawu; State Women Leader, Lady Adim Henshaw; State Legal Adviser, Hon. Ebaye Akonjom; and State Financial Secretary, Ettan Aidam Mark.
The executives alleged that Akpama continued to receive salaries from the Cross River State Government until May 2026 despite publicly stating that he had resigned his appointment. They described the situation as a potential conflict of interest that had weakened confidence in his leadership.
The communiqué also accused the chairman of engaging in anti-party activities, mishandling party finances, abusing his office, altering the State Executive Council list without consultation, imposing party officials and sidelining key stakeholders.
According to the executives, Akpama also failed to harmonise and publish ward and local government party structures, managed delegates’ funds without transparency, constituted screening committees without constitutional backing, admitted individuals of questionable loyalty into the party structure and had not convened a meeting of the State Executive Council since the state congress.
The aggrieved officials called on the party’s National Working Committee to investigate the allegations, determine whether constitutional procedures were violated and ensure accountability in the management of party affairs.
They further appealed to the national leadership to restore the original State Executive Council structure, verify the membership status of executive officers, reverse alleged alterations to party offices and intervene to restore unity within the Cross River chapter.
“The future of the Nigeria Democratic Congress in Cross River State must not be jeopardised by internal disputes, personal interests or unconstitutional practices,” the communiqué stated.
Responding to the allegations, Akpama dismissed them as a politically motivated attempt to weaken the party’s opposition in the state.
He maintained that he officially resigned from the Cross River State Government on February 16, 2026, and said he possesses documentary evidence, including his resignation letter and receipts showing that salaries paid to him after his resignation were refunded.
“My resignation letter exists. The refund receipts exist. The truth exists. What does not exist is the fantasy being promoted by those who are desperate to score cheap political points,” Akpama said.
He explained that the salary payments continued in error after his resignation and that he refunded the money immediately he became aware of the mistake.
The chairman also rejected claims of anti-party activities, insisting that differing political opinions within the party should not be mistaken for disloyalty.
“Supporting a political position within a democratic party does not make anyone a traitor. Disagreement is part of democracy. What is not part of democracy is character assassination, blackmail and the deliberate manipulation of facts,” he added.
