Leadership crisis brews in Cross River Labour Party

From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar

A fresh leadership crisis appears to have erupted in the Cross River State Chapter of the Labour Party.

This follows the purported suspension of the state chairman, Mr Ogar Osim over allegations of embezzlement and anti-party activities.

Their suspension is contained in a statement issued by the Chairman and Secretary of the State disciplinary committee, Bonnie Adie and Ibiang Igri respectively, announced the appointment of an acting Chairman and Secretary.

Eugene Obia and Allen Ekpe are to remain in acting capacity pending when a congress will be held to elect a substantive Chairman and Secretary respectively.

“The decision to relieve them of the positions was taken following a thorough investigation into allegations of gross misconduct, anti-party activities, inability to maintain a state secretariat, embezzlement, and other serious issues.

“We are confident that Mr Obia and Mr Ekpe who have been appointed in acting capacities will provide strong leadership and ensure the smooth functioning of the Labour Party in the State.

“We urge all members to cooperate with the new leadership and work together to achieve the arty’s goals,” it stated.

However, the state chairman of the party Ogar Osim has rejected his purported suspension saying it’s a joke and the people behind it are imposters.

“Those people are imposters, we don’t know them and have no such names in our exco.

“We have never appointed such people as members of our disciplinary committee.

“Our disciplinary committee is headed by the legal adviser of the party and I don’t know what they are talking about,” he said.