As the 2nd November 2024, local government elections in Cross River State approach, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and key political stakeholders held a rally on Monday in Calabar the state capital metropolis to educate voters and address election concerns. The sensitization rally focused on mobilizing citizens to exercise their voting rights, ensuring transparency, and fostering credible elections NEGROIDHAVEN can report authoritatively.
Engr. Effiom Edet Okon, Chair of IPAC and the Action People’s Party (APP), stressed IPAC’s commitment to deepening democracy in the state. “We want this election to be thick, with voters coming out en masse to elect their choice of chairmen and councilors. Democracy is deepened through IPAC, and we are ensuring that the voice of the people is heard,” he said. Okon expressed confidence in Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSIEC), noting that previous interactions between IPAC and the commission were promising. “We appealed to the government to reduce the high cost of election forms, and they listened. The governor intervened, and now we have forms for chairmen at ₦1 million and for councilors at ₦200,000.”
Speaking on the importance of voter turnout, Dr. Ambo Ekpenyong, Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Cross River and Chair of IPAC’s Electoral Monitoring Team, emphasized the need to combat voter apathy. “We thought it wise to sensitize Cross Riverians on this local government election to reduce apathy,” he said. Reflecting on previous elections, he noted, “People came out and identified with the electoral process based on the trust that the electoral umpire was going to be free, fair, and credible. We are setting up a monitoring team to ensure that the best candidate wins and that the franchise of the people is real.”
Dr. Ekpenyong also affirmed that IPAC’s approach was to ensure political peace and authentic representation at the grassroots level, regardless of the political party. “It might not be my party; it might be APC, SDP, or YPP. The most important thing is that the franchise of the people is respected.”
Meanwhile, Anthony Bissong Attah, Chairman of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) and immediate past Chair of IPAC, urged voters to come out and vote, dismissing fears of election manipulation. “We are insisting that this election must be free, fair, and credible. Our vote must count. Cross Riverians should not be afraid. We are monitoring every process to ensure transparency,” Attah said. He also called on security agencies to maintain neutrality, warning them against being used to influence election outcomes.
Dunamis Archibong, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Political Affairs to Governor Bassey Otu, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a credible and peaceful election. “His Excellency, the governor, is resolute and ready to ensure that the local government election will be fair, credible, and peaceful. We are calling on the youth of Cross River state to avoid being used by politicians for violence,” he said. Archibong also highlighted the governor’s efforts to provide a level playing field for all, stating, “The reduction in the cost of election forms is a clear signal that the governor is ready to have all hands on deck, beyond party lines.”
