The All Progressives Congress (APC) has commended the Cross River State chapter of the party for the successful congresses in the 196 political wards of the state, describing the exercise as peaceful, free, fair, and credible.

The commendation was given by the Chairman of the APC Ward and Local Government Congresses Committee in Cross River State, Samuel Yanap, in Calabar, the state capital, on Saturday.

The party has adopted an affirmation method to retain most of the incumbent party executives owing to their exceptional performance — except in a few areas where zoning and other peculiarities took centre stage.

Yanap, who commended party chieftains and faithful for their peaceful and honourable conduct during the exercise, noted with satisfaction that the party had become one big family and should be used as a benchmark for future free, fair and credible elections in the country.

“We came to Cross River State to supervise and monitor the ward and local government congresses under the instructions of our National Chairman and the National Working Committee, and on arrival, we engaged the stakeholders, the State Executive Committee, and we also monitored the congresses in various wards across the state.

“We are satisfied with the conduct and with the outcome of the ward and local government congresses across the 196 wards, both in terms of behaviour and observance of the Constitution and Guidelines of the party.

“We also want to note that Cross River APC is united as a state. There are no issues at all. What we can say is that we have come to a united house to move forward under the able leadership of Governor Bassey Otu

“The Congress Coordinating Committee can tell you that the party is in good hands, and we congratulate them on the way that they have conducted themselves since we arrived in Cross River.

“We conducted the ward congresses on Wednesday. The leaders and stakeholders showed exceptional qualities in character and conduct. The story is not different today. We are highly impressed, and we shall take this good report back to Abuja,” he said.

He urged party faithful to remain law-abiding and united, noting that the exercise is crucial to strengthening the party’s grassroots structure.

The state chairman of the party, Ntufam Ekum Ojogu, thanked the national panel for their commitment to the peaceful and transparent conduct of the congresses, following their tour of many wards across the three senatorial zones of the state.

Chairman of the Appeal Committee, Honourable Prince Ademola Adetokunbo, explained that the committee’s mandate is to ensure fair hearing in line with party guidelines. He noted that the team was deployed by the party’s national leadership to guarantee due process and internal democracy.

Adetokunbo commended Governor Bassey Edet Otu for fostering unity within the party and sustaining a peaceful political environment in the state.

Chairman of the Screening Appeal Committee, Dr Ike Ukwe, said that although the committee was prepared to entertain complaints, he anticipated a smooth process.

“The party has provided equal opportunity for all members. If anyone feels aggrieved, we are here to listen and ensure fairness,” he said.