James Alicha, Hails High Chief Higgins for Reconciliation After Protracted Conflict With Barr Eba
By Murphy Oko – Calabar
In what many political observers have described as a landmark moment for unity and cohesion in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River Northern Senatorial District, an elder statesman and prominent stakeholder, Mr James Alicha Okpamu, has applauded the reconciliation between High Chief Higgins Peters and the State Chairman, Barr Alphonsus Ogar Eba, the two political titans of Yala extraction who have long been at odds, causing significant division within the party.
Speaking in a telephone interview, Mr. Alicha commended the duo for their willingness to put aside personal differences in favour of the party’s greater good, describing their reconciliation as a step towards strengthening the APC in Yala Local Government Area, and Cross River North in general.
He also credited the resolution of their differences to the sterling and exemplary leadership of Governor Bassey Edet Otu, whose governance and mediation efforts have provided a conducive environment for fostering unity within the party.
The rift between the respected elder statesman and the youthful and dynamic chairman of the APC in Cross River State, had been one of the most prominent conflicts within the party in recent years. The feud, which reportedly stemmed from political disagreements over party leadership and strategies in Yala, created factions within the party and threatened to undermine its stability and electoral strength in the region.
Efforts by stakeholders to mediate in the past had largely failed, with both sides remaining steadfast in their positions. However, recent developments have shown that peace is not only possible but has become a reality, with both leaders pledging to work together moving forward.
Governor Otu, widely celebrated for his people-centered policies, has been instrumental in cultivating a sense of collective responsibility within the APC and his emphasis on resolving internal conflicts to ensure the party remains united has earned him the respect of both party members and the general public.
Political analysts have described the reconciliation as a significant development that could reshape the APC’s fortunes in Cross River North; with Yala being one of the largest and most politically influential local government areas in the state, the unity of its leaders is expected to have a ripple effect on the party’s activities across the region.
