Ex-IPAC Chair Emerges Cross River NDC Chairman

Former Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Goddy Akpama, has emerged as the new Chairman of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Cross River State. His emergence comes as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Akpama was elected through a consensus arrangement. The process was supervised by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the Chinese Restaurant, Cross River State Housing Estate, Calabar, on Monday.

The state congress that produced him was conducted by a committee led by Christian Gekpe. Other members of the committee included Mr. Emmanuel Idris Yakurr and Dr. Gabriel Abu, while Dr. Clement Aging served as Chairman of the Appeal Committee.

In his post-election speech, Akpama promised to uphold the trust placed in him. “I will not betray the confidence reposed in me. I will lift the party to a higher pedestal,” he said, adding that the policy thrust of the NDC under his leadership would be “inclusive governance.”

He also charged members of his team to reject any defeatist mindset. “Shun whatever defeatist tendencies you may have,” he urged, “and instead work with a mindset focused on overcoming political opponents in the 2027 general elections.”

Akpama further vowed to collaborate with other party members to secure victory for the party’s presidential ticket. “I will join hands with other party members to ensure that our presidential candidates, Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, emerge as the next President and Vice President of Nigeria in 2027,” he stated.

Speaking at the event, the Director-General of the Henry Siereke Dickson Foundation, Dr. Clement Agiangie, called for unity. “All hands must be on deck in order to produce the next leaders of the country,” he said, warning members not to allow “moneybags to hijack the structures of the party.”

Also addressing the gathering, party leader Dr. Ntets Duke commended members for their massive turnout. He revealed that “in the last 24 hours, over 12 million people have registered,” adding that the surge “has almost crashed the party’s portal.”