The Chairman of the Labour Party in Cross River, Ogar Osim, has denied reports of his suspension by the party. In a telephone interview, Osim described the report as “untrue” and “null and void.”
A press statement had earlier announced Osim’s suspension alongside the party’s Secretary, Felix Etim, over alleged anti-party issues and embezzlement.
The statement, signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the State disciplinary committee, Bonnie Adie and Ibiang Igri, respectively, also announced the appointment of Eugene Obia and Allen Ekpe as acting Chairman and Secretary.
“The decision to relieve them of the positions was taken following a thorough investigation into allegations of gross misconduct, anti-party activities, inability to maintain a state secretariat, embezzlement, and other serious issues,” the statement read.
However, Osim, who was also the party’s governorship candidate in the last general election, dismissed the suspension as “concocted” by a former party official, Nkoyo Otu.
“I remain the chairman of LP in Cross River State,” Osim said. “The whole thing was concocted by one Nkoyo Otu, our erstwhile Women Leader whom we nominated for Governor Bassey Otu to appoint as Special Adviser on Inter Party affairs.”
Osim questioned the legitimacy of the disciplinary committee, saying, “Who set up the disciplinary committee? Certainly not the party because I do not even know the persons constituting the so-called disciplinary committee.”
He also laughed off the allegations against him, saying, “They accused me of embezzlement but failed to mention how much I embezzled… They also said I couldn’t sustain the party Secretariat. That’s laughable.”
