30 January 2020
As part of the build up to the anticipated 28 March 2020 statewide local government elections in Cross River, the state ruling political party, People’s Democratic Party PDP has published a list of 18 chairmanship candidates beginning from valleys of Bakassi in the Southern Senatorial District to the hills of Obanliku in the Northern Senatorial District.
NEGROIDHAVEN sited a list signed by the State Chair of the PDP, Ntufam Inok Edim.
1. Obanliku – INDIE, Margaret Uyilewhome
2. Obudu – BONNY Ewhe Eraye
3. Bekwarra – Dr. JOSEPHATE Emeka
4. Ogoja – Hon. EMMANUEL Ishabor
5. Boki – Pst. JOHN Ewa
6. Yala – Barr. FABIAN Odey Ogbeche
7. Ikom – KINGSLEY Egumi
8. Etung – JOHN Nkum Etuk
9. Obubra – BASSEY Agara Tom
10. Yakurr – OFEM Ebri Obeten
11. Abi – LAWSON Enang Isong
12. Biase – ADA Charles Egwu
13. Akamkpa – Hon. LINUS Etim Bassey
14. Odukpani – Mrs JUSTINA Edem
15. Calabar Municipality – EFFEFIONG Nta Eke
16. Calabar South – Mrs ESTHER Bassey
17. Akpabuyo – EMMANUEL Offiong Bassey
18. Bakassi – IYADIM Amboni Iyadim.
This list has sparked controversy among the faithfuls of the party in the state as some elements in the list do not reportedly represent a larger section of the interests of faithfuls. Members of chapter caucuses in the party across the state were shocked to the bone marrow when the various candidates were officially announced.
It should be placed on record that there were no primary election within the party which would have preceded the emergence of these 'candidates'. The Executive Governor of the state, Mr Ben Ayade, has been accused of unilaterally forcing down his choice on the throats of the party.
However, one Charles Ekanem (as Prince Charles Ekanem IV on Facebook) has stood by the governor's arbitrary decision in a social thread titled 'Why I support the actions of Ayade.' His words in party, 'Ingrates and hypocrites everywhere in Cross River Politics. You that was choosen by the Governor against People (sic) will as House of Reps Member, Senator, Assembly Member and Appointee is now querying the same Governor for choosing his Councillors and Chairmen of Local Government Council.
'I support the Governor 100% in this. My only reservation is selection should have reflected zoning in places with understanding of rotational politics. But if the Governor says otherwise who are you to say (No) especially as a beneficiary of same process?
There are suspicions that owing to the development, loyalty may shift grounds and sabotage may be the order around this period of the local government elections. There are uncertainties whether the main opposition party in the state, the All Progressives Congress APC will catch in on this development to their advantage.
Meanwhile, Stanley Nsemo a chairmanship hopeful of the Party in Calabar Municipality has congratulated the favoured candidate, Effefiong in a rare demonstration of sportsmanship.
EDITORIAL
The Abi PDP chapter is reported to have replaced Lawson Enang with Hon. Farator Robinson as her chairmanship candidate for the forthcoming March 2020 local government elections. This is according to CrossRiverDaily. This news house is yet to independently confirm this development.
