C/River LG Polls: Why Chairmanship Position Should Be Zone to Yakurr One -Group

From Ene Asuquo,Calabar

Youths group operating in Cross River under the aegis of Great Yakurr People’s Forum have charged the Caucus of ruling All Progressives Congress APC and other stakeholder of the party in charge of zoning aspirants for local government council chairmanship position to zone the chairmanship position to Yakurr one, so as to situate the party at vantage position for 2027 Gov’ship polls.

Spokesperson for the group comrade Festus Ikpi, gave the charge during an interactive session with journalists Tuesday in Càlabar.

Commenting on zoning of council chairmanship polls scheduled for November 2, 2024,the group stated that it is pertinent to make their input on the issue so that the responsible for the zoning of power can have a sense of direction to avoid making costly mistakes.

Giving insight why the call became necessary, Ikpi said, “As we speak, Yakurr two has a serving senator, Eteng Williams who before his elevation to the status of a senator, served for three terms as a law maker and subsequently Speaker of Cross River State House of Assembly.

“The chapter chairman for APC who doubles as Caucus leader Comrade Dave Okpebri an indigene of Asigha community, is a bonafide individual from Yakurr two, among others who we cannot mention here, are from Yakurr two constituencies.” He maintained.

He stressed that it will be ideal for the chairmanship position to be zoned to Yakurr one, with about 8 council wards with numerous polling units, compared to Yakurr two, with only five council wards with less than 12 polling units, if not for Mkpani Agoi which have about 20 or 35 poling units.

“If you compare this statistics to Yakurr one, Ugep Uban alone has 76 polling units in constituency 1, any attempt to pick a candidate from a place that have 10 polling units that can put the party at risk when it’s comes to delivering candidates of the APC I. 2027 Governorship election.

“Picking candidate chairmanship position from Yakurr one would make the party formidable ahead of 2027 Gov’ship election due to it’s high level of voting strength, if you pick a candidate from a constituency with low voting strength and a rival party decides to pick its candidate from a constituency with high voting strength; this will subject the APC to very tough battle if it’s doesn’t lose to the rival party in 2027.

“For instance, Ugep Uban alone has 76 polling units under Yakurr one, any attempt to pick a candidate from Yakurr another place with say 10 polling units that alone would put the party in a disadvantageous position to deliver the APC candidate in 2027.

“What we should be looking for now is a grass rooter who is down to earth with enormous capacity to mobilize for the 2027 governorship elections notwithstanding the fact that 2027 is yet to come.