Cross River State’s political landscape is fracturing. The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) state executive council delivered a no-confidence vote against Chairman Goddie Archibong Akpama. The move exposes deep governance failures within Nigeria’s opposition parties. It also raises questions about the integrity of political leadership at the subnational level.
The executive council’s communiqué, signed by five senior officials, alleges Akpama continued receiving government salaries until May 2026. This contradicts his claim of resigning from the Cross River State Government in February. The executives describe the salary payments as a conflict of interest that undermines his credibility to lead an opposition party. They demand an independent investigation into the financial irregularities and constitutional breaches.
The allegations extend beyond salary payments. The executives accuse Akpama of unilaterally altering the State Executive Council list after the party congress. They claim he imposed party structures without consultation, sidelined key officers, and failed to harmonise ward and local government structures. The communiqué also highlights the absence of State Executive Council meetings since the congress, describing it as autocratic leadership that stifles internal democracy.
Akpama’s response dismisses the allegations as politically motivated. He insists he resigned on February 16, 2026, and possesses documentary evidence, including his resignation letter and refund receipts for salaries mistakenly paid after his departure. He accuses his critics of circulating payslips while concealing his resignation and refund documents. His defence frames the conflict as a disagreement over the party’s direction ahead of the governorship election, not a breach of trust.
The crisis reveals systemic weaknesses in Nigeria’s opposition politics. The NDC’s internal governance structures appear fragile, with power concentrated in the hands of a few individuals. The allegations of financial mismanagement and lack of transparency mirror broader issues within Nigerian political parties, where internal democracy is often sacrificed for expediency. The party’s national leadership now faces pressure to intervene, but past interventions in similar crises have rarely resolved underlying institutional flaws.
The salary scandal underscores a recurring problem in Nigerian politics: the blurred line between public service and party leadership. Akpama’s alleged dual role as a government employee and opposition chairman reflects a culture where political actors prioritise personal gain over institutional integrity. This duality is not unique to the NDC. It is a symptom of a larger governance crisis where accountability mechanisms are weak, and political loyalty is often transactional.
The Cross River NDC crisis also highlights the role of state governments in undermining opposition parties. The executives’ communiqué suggests Akpama’s actions were designed to suit the interests of his alleged paymasters. If proven, this would indicate a deliberate strategy to weaken opposition voices through co-option. Such tactics are not new in Nigerian politics, where ruling parties often infiltrate or destabilise opposition structures to maintain dominance.
The NDC’s national leadership must act decisively to restore confidence. The executives’ demands include restoring the original State Executive Council structure, verifying membership status, and ending divisive leadership practices. However, these measures address symptoms, not root causes. The party needs structural reforms, including transparent financial management, regular audits, and mechanisms to enforce internal democracy. Without these, the NDC risks repeating the same cycles of crisis that have plagued other Nigerian opposition parties.
The broader implications of this crisis extend beyond Cross River State. Nigeria’s democracy relies on robust opposition parties to hold the government accountable. When opposition parties are weakened by internal conflicts, governance suffers. The NDC’s struggles reflect a national pattern where political parties serve as vehicles for personal ambition rather than platforms for democratic engagement. This crisis is a wake-up call for Nigeria’s political class to prioritise institutional integrity over short-term gains.
