Baskadia

PRESS STATEMENT

RE: PURPORTED IMPEACHMENT OF THE IPAC CROSS RIVER STATE CHAIRMAN, ENGR. EFFIOM EDET OKON

The attention of the leadership of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Cross River State Chapter, has been drawn to a misleading, malicious and completely false report alleging the impeachment of the State Chairman of IPAC, Engr. Effiom Edet Okon, over allegations of financial misconduct, abuse of office, incompetence and lack of accountability.

We wish to categorically state that the said report is a fabrication, a product of mischief and a desperate attempt by a few disgruntled individuals to undermine the unity, credibility and stability of IPAC in Cross River State.

For the avoidance of doubt, no valid impeachment process was initiated, conducted or concluded against the Chairman. The so-called meeting relied upon by the authors of the report was not a legally constituted General Council Meeting of IPAC and therefore lacked the constitutional authority to deliberate on, much less remove, any elected officer of the Council.

It is important to place on record that a group of six political party chairmen, aided by a PDP member who is not a chairman of any political party, forcefully disrupted the duly convened IPAC General Council Meeting held on 2nd September 2026. Having failed in their attempt to hijack the proceedings and impose their personal agenda on the Council, they resorted to spreading falsehoods and misinformation to mislead the public.

The allegation that the Chairman failed to account for ₦84 million purportedly received from the state government and other partners is entirely false, reckless and unfounded. No such amount was ever received by the Chairman or by IPAC Cross River State under his leadership for voter sensitisation. Those making the allegation are challenged to provide documentary evidence of the purported release, recipient details, payment records and any supporting approvals. Until such evidence is produced, the allegation remains nothing more than a calculated smear campaign.

Similarly, the claim that the Chairman unilaterally endorsed fees relating to campaign materials with CRISSA is misleading. At no time did the Chairman act outside the mandate of the Council or take decisions contrary to the collective interests of member political parties. The Chairman has consistently represented IPAC in official engagements in line with established procedures and in the best interest of all registered political parties in the state.

We also reject the claim that Engr. Effiom Edet Okon was previously impeached during his first tenure. The records of IPAC clearly show that no lawful impeachment was ever sustained against him. Such claims are being recycled by political detractors whose objective is to create confusion and discredit a leadership that has successfully strengthened the visibility, relevance and unity of IPAC in Cross River State.

Furthermore, the purported appointment of replacement officers is null, void and of no effect whatsoever, as there exists no vacancy in the offices of Chairman and Secretary of IPAC Cross River State. Any individual parading himself as having been elected or appointed into such offices is merely engaging in self-help and acting outside the provisions of the IPAC Constitution.

The general public, INEC, security agencies, government institutions, civil society organisations and development partners are hereby advised to disregard the purported impeachment and all actions arising from it, as they have no constitutional or legal foundation.

IPAC Cross River State remains united, committed to democratic principles and focused on its mandate of promoting political inclusion, electoral integrity and peaceful coexistence among political parties. Engr. Effiom Edet Okon remains the duly elected and legitimate Chairman of the Council until the expiration of his tenure in accordance with the Constitution of IPAC.

We urge all members to remain calm, law-abiding and committed to the ideals of dialogue and constitutionalism while appropriate measures are taken to address the actions of those responsible for this unfortunate attempt to destabilise the Council.

Signed

Majority Chairmen of Political Parties in Cross River State being members of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC)

Cross River State Chapter

2nd September, 2026