The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Cross River State has protested the inclusion of its state chairman, Goddie Archibong Akpama, in an online directory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) State Campaign Council, describing the listing as misleading.
The party, through its State Publicity Secretary, Mr Cletus Amawu, made its position known in a statement made available to Vanguard in Calabar on Wednesday.
According to the NDC, Akpama’s name appeared under the Chieftaincy Affairs category of the purported APC campaign council directory, a development it said could create confusion about his political affiliation.
The party categorically denied that its chairman belonged to the APC or had any affiliation with the party’s campaign council.
It also clarified that his correct name was Goddie Archibong Akpama, rather than “Goddy Akpama” as displayed in the online directory.
The NDC maintained that Akpama remained firmly committed to his responsibilities as the party’s state chairman and continued to pursue its political objectives under the NDC platform.
Expressing concern over the possible implications of the publication, the party said the listing could mislead the public, confuse political stakeholders and damage the chairman’s political standing.
It consequently called on those responsible for compiling, hosting and circulating the directory to explain how Akpama’s name found its way into the list.
The party further demanded the immediate removal of the disputed entry and the issuance of a public clarification to correct what it described as a misrepresentation of its chairman’s political identity.
The NDC also appealed to journalists, political stakeholders and members of the public not to interpret the appearance of Akpama’s name in the directory as evidence of his membership of, or allegiance to, the APC.
Reaffirming its position, Amawu said Akpama’s political activities remained exclusively within the NDC, stressing that political disagreements should be addressed through legitimate engagement rather than the circulation of information capable of creating confusion.
The party reiterated its demand for an explanation and a public correction, insisting that the disputed listing should not be allowed to cast doubt on its chairman’s political affiliation.
Amawu added that Akpama remained focused on his responsibilities within the NDC and would not be distracted by what the party described as attempts to misrepresent his political identity.
