CRPP Challenges Afegbua’s Claim of CNPP, IPAC Membership

By Arit Mbeh

The Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP) has challenged claims by the Edo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, that he was a member of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) and the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC).

In a statement issued over the weekend in Benin City, the CRPP National Chairman, Dr. Samson Isibor, and the National Secretary, M. Nkama Waribe, maintained that Afegbua had never been a member of either organisation since their establishment.

The coalition called on the commissioner to publicly substantiate his claim, insisting that he neither belonged to the two bodies nor had an understanding of their objectives and operations.

According to the CRPP, membership of both the CNPP and IPAC is reserved for chairmen of registered political parties or their duly accredited representatives. It argued that Afegbua had never been elected or appointed chairman of any registered political party and therefore could not have qualified for membership of either organisation.

The group challenged the commissioner to provide documentary evidence to support his assertion that he was ever a member of the CNPP or IPAC.

The CRPP further stated that it was not disturbed by the commissioner’s response to its earlier criticisms, adding that public office holders should address issues with facts rather than resort to personal attacks.

It also renewed its call for Afegbua’s removal as commissioner, alleging that he had failed to effectively project the policies and programmes of the Edo State Government and had instead allowed personal interests to overshadow the responsibilities of his office.

The statement urged government officials to embrace constructive engagement on issues affecting the people of Edo State, stressing that accountability, transparency and responsible public communication remain essential to good democratic governance.