Deputy National Treasurer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Engr. Ben Akak, has called for urgent reconciliation within the party in Cross River State following its recently concluded primaries, urging dissatisfied aspirants, lawmakers and their supporters to set aside their grievances and rally behind Governor Bassey Edet Otu.
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Akak's appeal comes amid reports of political consultations involving some members of the Cross River State House of Assembly following the primaries, raising concerns about internal cohesion and the need to manage competing interests ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement, the APC chieftain acknowledged that the outcome of primary elections could leave some aspirants disappointed, particularly those who had invested considerable time, resources and political capital in pursuing party tickets. He, however, maintained that such disappointments should not be allowed to weaken the party's structure or derail its broader political objectives.
He urged aggrieved stakeholders to embrace dialogue and utilise established party mechanisms to resolve disputes, stressing that disagreements over nominations should not translate into lasting political divisions.
According to Akak, the ability of the APC to navigate the aftermath of the primaries will depend largely on the willingness of its leaders and members to prioritise collective interests over individual ambitions.
He cautioned against interpreting political meetings and consultations as evidence of disloyalty, noting that disagreements and discussions are part of the democratic process and should be approached with restraint rather than speculation.
The party official also called on members of the State Assembly and other stakeholders to preserve relationships within the APC, warning that unresolved grievances could undermine cooperation at a time when the party needs a coordinated approach to its political activities.
Akak reaffirmed his call for support for Governor Otu and other recognised APC candidates, while emphasising that party unity must be accompanied by deliberate efforts to address the concerns of those dissatisfied with the primary process.
He urged the party's leadership at both state and national levels to provide avenues for meaningful engagement with aggrieved aspirants, arguing that reconciliation would be more effective if members felt their concerns were being heard and fairly considered.
The business mogul and politician further noted that aspirants who lost out in the primaries remained valuable to the party, given their grassroots networks, political experience and contributions to its development.
He appealed to party supporters to avoid inflammatory statements, personal attacks and unverified claims that could heighten tensions, urging them instead to demonstrate maturity and respect for internal party procedures.
Akak expressed optimism that sustained dialogue and mutual understanding would help resolve outstanding differences and strengthen the APC's organisational capacity across Cross River State.
He maintained that the challenge before the party was to transform post primary disagreements into an opportunity for reconciliation, insisting that individual political disappointments should not overshadow the broader task of maintaining party cohesion ahead of the 2027 elections.
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