C'River APC : Etim disassociates self from media report on interim ch'ship appointment

Hon. Etim John (L) and Sir John Ochala

Members of All Progressives Congress, APC in Cross River State have been advised to disregard media report about a purported meeting by leaders of the party in the state where Hon. Etim John was appointed as interim Chairman.

In a statement issued yesterday, Etim disassociated himself from the report noting that no such meeting ever took place.

The report which was published by Daily Trust newspaper and culled by Fearless Report after over 8 hours of publication has been described as false by all key actors including Etim who was quoted as source.

Explaining moves by leaders of APC in the state to resolve the crisis which has been brewing in the party since2018, Etim who is also leading a faction as a state Chairman said that there's an understanding between him and Sir John Ochala, state chairman of another faction to work together in the interest of the party.

According to the statement "It has been drawn to my knowledge an online publication by THURSDAY online news of 7th August, 2020 claiming certain information as emanating from me. Let me state in unambiguous terms that the said writer or reporter appears to be an agent of the fifth columnist with clear malicious tendencies sponsored to create disaffection and disharmony among the leadership of APC, Cross River State. It's obvious that the writing is fallacious and styled journalism of belly negotiation. 

"There has not been any meetings involving the mentioned highly respected leaders of our party where any such decisions affecting State party leadership was taken. Though I granted an interview recently, my response to the two questions asked were thus; 

on the issue of State party Chairmanship, my emphasis was that our focus and interest should be rather concentrated on the fact that both Sir John Ochala and Hon Godwin Etim John have sued for peace and have agreed to work together for the betterment of the party. I added that the party is mindful of the zoning arrangements within the state which had allocated State Chairman to the Central and the Deputy to the North. 

I charged that the ongoing peace initiative from the National, tailors activities at our state and all are keyed into the process. In the shortest possible time, I assured that all issues will be resolved amicably. I emphasized that our energy for now  is geared towards winning the by-elections coming up soon in the Northern Senatorial Zone and the leadership is not prepared to compromise our chances of winning", the statement reads in part.

Etim added that "On the second question that bothered on our chances of winning against PDP in the by-elections, my response was strongly in the affirmative, taking into cognisance first, the caliber of political juggernauts and result driven leadership of the party and secondly their renewed determination to position the party and work in unity  for optimal performance at the polls. These combined ingredients is all that was left for a total defeat of an epileptic PDP government particularly beginning from Cross River North". 

He maintained that "I Hon Godwin Etim John therefore disassociate in all sincerity of purpose, myself from any interview as presented by the said reporter. My resolve and preoccupation primarily in the circumstance is ensuring a success of the ongoing peace initiative and victory in the by-elections coming up. I urge all well meaning members and Leaders of APC Cross River State to eschew acts capable of truncating or frustrating our peace process".