The chairman of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Cross River State, Goddie Archibong Akpama has rejected his inclusion in a campaign council directory of the All Progressives Congress (APC), demanding an immediate correction and public explanation from those responsible.
Akpama said he was neither a member of the APC nor affiliated with its campaign council in Cross River State.
He described the publication as misleading and unacceptable, insisting that his name had been used without his consent.
The controversy followed the circulation of an online directory purportedly listing members of the APC Cross River State Campaign Council.
According to a statement jointly signed by Akpama and Cletus Amawu, the NDC secretary in the state, the directory identified an individual as “MR. GODDY AKPAMA” under the Chieftaincy Affairs category.
The NDC leaders said the entry wrongly associated their chairman with a political party he does not belong to.
They also pointed out that the name published in the directory was incorrect, explaining that his full and correct name is Goddie Archibong Akpama.
“Our attention has been drawn to an online publication on the purported All Progressives Congress (APC) Cross River State Campaign Council Directory, hosted on a website bearing the address apc2027 in which an individual identified as ‘MR. GODDY AKPAMA’ is listed as a member under the Chieftaincy Affairs category,” the statement reads.
The party leaders said the publication required urgent attention because of the potential consequences for Akpama’s political identity and public reputation.
They argued that presenting him as a member of the APC could create confusion among residents, party supporters and political stakeholders who may rely on the directory for information about the party’s campaign structure.
“We wish to categorically correct the record and inform the general public that Mr Goddie A. Akpama is not a member of the APC and has no membership or affiliation with the party’s Cross River State Campaign Council.”
The statement further raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding the publication.
The NDC leaders said they could not rule out the possibility that individuals might be using the directory to embarrass Akpama or damage his standing within the political community.
“The possibility that disgruntled individuals may be exploiting the publication to embarrass or blackmail him politically cannot be ignored,” the statement reads.
They, however, did not identify anyone responsible for the alleged wrongful inclusion.
They called on those who compiled, published or circulated the directory to explain how Akpama’s name appeared on the list and whether the entry had been verified before publication.
The NDC officials also demanded the immediate removal of the disputed entry.
They said a public clarification was necessary to correct the record and prevent the continued circulation of information that could give the impression that Akpama had joined or was working with the APC.
Their demand places the responsibility on the operators of the website and anyone involved in preparing or distributing the campaign council directory to address the allegation.
The party leaders maintained that the matter should not be allowed to remain unresolved while the publication continues to circulate.
Akpama, according to the statement, remains committed to his position as the NDC chairman in Cross River State.
The party said he continues to focus on its political objectives and efforts to bring former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi into the political equation through the NDC platform.
“Attempts to associate him with the APC through questionable online publications will not alter his political identity or derail his assignment,” the party stated.