LG Polls: Group urges Gov. Otu to obey zoning formula in Ikom LGA

By Ene Ene, Calabar

A pressure group in Ikom local government area under the aegis of “Opinion Voice For Ikom Leadership” have called on the State governor, Bassey Edet Otu not to jettison zoning formula in the forthcoming local government elections in the state.

Recall that the people of Cross River State awaits the constitution of a new electoral body for the purpose of conducting the local government elections in the state

The group made this known in a statement signed by it”s chairman, Tony Bassey and Secretary Njor Collins Adekpe and issued to newsmen shortly after their meeting on the 8th August, 2024 with 10 people in attendance,

The Nations News Nigeria reports that the member of the group hails from ten wards out of eleven in Ikom local government area, insisting that it is the turn of Olulumo ward to produce the next Chairman of Ikom local government Area.

According to them “After painstakingly and unbiased opinion poll across the wards and from members of the public for over 6 months, we focused our findings on the most preferred ward for the next elective local government elections for Ikom local government Council”

“Out of eleven wards, eight wards have benefited or produced elected chairmen, while three wards namely: Akparabong, Olulumo, and Ofutop have neither benefited nor produced”.

“It is on record that Akparabong have an elected member of the State Assembly, a Commissioner and the Secretary of lkom Urban currently, while Ofutop Ward 1 has the State Deputy Chairman for APC and a Senior Special Adviser to the State Governor”.

The group maintained that Olulumo Ward is yet to benefit or produce an elected Chairman for Ikom Local Government Council since the advent of Democracy in 1999.

The group in their resolution have said that Olulumo is the most preferred ward for equity and justice, stressing that over 87% of the Ikom people have accepted Olulumo to produce the next Chairman of Ikom local government

“On this note, on behalf of the entire members of the Opinion voice of lkom Leadership therefore have voted and zoned the next lkom Council Chairman to Olulumo Ward”.

“This is our position and the position of the majority in lkom. Olulumo Ward should produce the next lkom Council Chairman in the interest of equity and fairness”, they maintained.