PRESS STATEMENT BY AGGRIEVED MEMBERS OF THE ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC), BOKI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
This press statement was issued to the public on Thursday, 20th February 2026, in Calabar, following extensive consultations among concerned stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State.
We, the undersigned and aggrieved members of the APC in Boki Local Government Area, hereby express our deep dissatisfaction and collective grievance over the continued political imbalance and concentration of power in the hands of Mr. Kelvin Njong within both the party and government structure of Boki LGA.
This statement reflects the position of party faithfuls and grassroots supporters who worked tirelessly for the success of the APC in the last general elections but, regrettably, have nothing tangible to show for their sacrifices, loyalty, and commitment to the party.
Our concerns are respectfully directed to our leader and Governor of Cross River State, Prince Bassey Edet Otu, whom we hold in high esteem and regard as a unifying figure and father to all APC members across the state.
We are constrained to call on His Excellency to relieve Mr. Kelvin Njong of either the position of APC Chapter Chairman of Boki Local Government Area or his appointment as Commissioner II in the Cross River State Forestry Commission. It is politically unhealthy, inequitable, and unjust for one individual to hold two highly influential positions while the majority of loyal APC members in Boki remain sidelined and unrewarded.
It is deeply disturbing to us that certain party leaders in Boki have been convening meetings and relaying messages that His Excellency has allegedly directed that Mr. Kelvin Njong should return once again as APC Chapter Chairman of Boki Local Government Area. This development has generated widespread discontent, as it undermines the principles of internal democracy, fairness, and inclusiveness within the party.
For clarity and proper record, Mr. Kelvin Njong has served as Chapter Chairman from the era of the PDP. He defected to the APC alongside former Governor Ben Ayade and was subsequently retained as APC Chapter Chairman. His tenure officially expired in June last year, after which he was reportedly asked to continue as Caretaker Committee Chairman pending party congresses. To our utter surprise and disappointment, we are again being told that he should return as substantive Chairman. This endless recycling of one individual has overstretched the patience of party members, and we are unequivocally tired of it.
We respectfully appeal to His Excellency, as the leader of the APC in Cross River State, to do the needful by directing Mr. Kelvin Njong to focus on only one position, instead of occupying two strategic offices within the same political environment. Governance should promote collective inclusion, not personal accumulation of power and influence.
It is common knowledge in Boki Local Government Area that if given the option, Mr. Kelvin Njong would prefer to retain his position as Commissioner in the Forestry Commission. This is widely perceived to be because the forestry sector has become a major avenue of personal enrichment for him. Today, Mr. Kelvin Njong is regarded by many in Boki as the highest single beneficiary of timber-related revenue, while party members who laboured for APC’s victory continue to suffer neglect.
We wish to emphasize that our agitation is peaceful. It is neither borne out of bitterness nor personal vendetta, but from a sincere desire for justice, fairness, and equitable distribution of political opportunities. We therefore call on our dear and beloved Governor, Sweet Prince Otu, to urgently intervene and mediate in this matter to restore confidence and allow others to have a sense of belonging in the government they helped to enthrone.
Mr. Kelvin Njong is not the only individual who supported the Governor in Boki Local Government Area. There are numerous loyal, capable, and committed APC members who equally deserve recognition, empowerment, and opportunity.
Additionally, we wish to remind His Excellency of the long-standing zoning arrangement in Boki Local Government Area, which has helped to maintain political balance and harmony. Boki has two constituencies, and political offices are traditionally shared between them. The position of APC Chapter Chairman has remained in Constituency 1 for over twelve (12) years. By every standard of equity and fairness, the office should now rotate to Constituency 2.
Disregarding this zoning principle risks breeding disaffection and weakening party unity at the grassroots level.
In conclusion, we respectfully urge His Excellency to listen to the voices of aggrieved party members in Boki LGA, act decisively in the interest of fairness, and strengthen the APC through justice, inclusiveness, and internal democracy.
We remain loyal members of the All Progressives Congress and steadfast supporters of the administration of Governor Prince Bassey Edet Otu.
Signed:
Dr. Abang Odok
On behalf of Aggrieved APC Members
Boki Local Government Area
Cross River State
20th February 2026.
