Moves to Revamp ATAM Congress Gather Momentum
By Bassey BASSEY
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, moves are gathering momentum among influential political stakeholders from Cross River Central and Northern Senatorial Districts to revamp the ATAM Congress as a united political platform for mobilising the people of the two senatorial districts and protecting their political interests.
Findings by THE BEAGLE NEWS indicate that the renewed effort is being driven by concerns over what some stakeholders described as the perceived marginalisation of the Central and Northern districts under the administration of Governor Bassey Otu.
The stakeholders are also seeking a stronger political front to protect the interests of the region and influence future political contests, particularly against what they described as possible external influence in the choice of candidates and political zoning arrangements ahead of the 2031 political cycle.
The ATAM Congress was founded in 2005 by prominent politicians, with Utum Eteng serving as its secretary at the time. The movement, which traces its roots to the administration of former Governor Donald Duke, was established to advance the interests of the ATAM people amid concerns over their perceived marginalisation in the state's political configuration.
Investigations revealed that some influential stakeholders from the two senatorial districts are dissatisfied with what they perceive as the treatment of their sons and daughters under the present administration.
They argued that some political actors who contributed to the emergence of the administration had been relegated to the background.
One of the stakeholders, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that commissioners and other appointees from the region serving in the administration were not being given sufficient room to operate.
«"Commissioners from the region serving in the present administration are treated as second class citizens, except for a few who are seen as favoured ones. Others merely exist. They do not function, have no imprest, approvals or budgetary allocations to implement projects," the stakeholder alleged.»
The stakeholders also expressed concern over political developments in Cross River Central, Ikom, Obubra and Yala, particularly disputes surrounding zoning and the allocation of tickets for the House of Assembly and House of Representatives.
They said the unfolding political scenarios in Cross River Central, particularly the senatorial contest, must not be allowed to repeat what they described as past political experiences.
Some stakeholders further alleged that several ATAM politicians who played prominent roles in bringing the present administration to power had been sidelined, while politicians from the southern part of the state had assumed greater influence in government.
They claimed that several key appointments and major contracts had gone to people from outside the region, leaving ATAM stakeholders with what one of them described as "the crumbs from the master's table."
Another source of concern, according to the stakeholders, is the perceived marginalisation of some influential political actors during the processes that produced council chairmen, party executives and candidates who emerged from recent party primaries.
A founding member of the defunct ATAM Congress, Chief Agbor Monjok, confirmed that moves were underway to revamp the organisation, arguing that its return had become necessary because of what he described as the political predicament facing the people.
Monjok said he could not recall a period in the state's political history when ATAM people had been so marginalised and relegated to the background, despite what he described as their significant contribution to the emergence of the present administration.
He noted that many people from the region voted massively for Governor Bassey Otu against the PDP candidate, Professor Sandy Onor, in the 2023 governorship election.
According to him, prominent political figures from the region, including former Governor Ben Ayade, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Owan Enoh, Senator Victor Ndoma Egba, Utum Eteng, Cletus Obun, former opposition voice Okoi Obono Obla, Alphonsus Eba, Dr Alex Egbona and members of the Ireck political structure, had all been sidelined.
He further lamented that some ATAM people currently occupying positions of authority were merely visible within the corridors of power without wielding meaningful influence.
Another former member of the ATAM Congress, Comrade Emmanuel Okoi, said the group was preparing to unveil the revamped Congress after months of consultations and meetings across party lines.
«"We are worried by the lopsided appointment of non ATAM sons and daughters to head executive boards, commissions and departments by the Otu administration. We are preparing to launch the group any moment from next week. We have been consulting and meeting. We hope to release a list of interim leaders.»
«"We are currently meeting with some leaders across party lines on the next step to take. We will certainly play a key role in determining who emerges in 2027. Any candidate ready to play ball with us will get our support. ATAM people are not going to vote blindly. A good number of APC members are with us and have been attending our meetings discreetly.»
«"We had wanted to unveil the Congress by August, but because of logistics, we shifted it to October when we intend to roll out in full swing. We have been getting calls in support of moves to bring back the Congress," he stated.»
Meanwhile, further investigations by THE BEAGLE NEWS revealed that some political parties and influential stakeholders have been lobbying the former secretary of the ATAM Congress, Utum Eteng, who currently serves as Special Adviser to Governor Bassey Otu on Legal Matters, to resign his position and take up the leadership of the proposed revamped Congress.
However, when contacted, Eteng denied any involvement in the revival of the ATAM Congress, saying, "I remain part and parcel of Otu's administration" and would therefore not "pull down a house" he had helped to build.
