C'River LG Election: Otu Searches For 'Mortal Loyalists' for Council Positions As Stakeholders Push For Zoning

By Ndifereke BASSEY

Gov. Bassey Otu of Cross River has commenced search for those he described as "mortally loyal" people to fly the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket ahead of the pending local government elections, THE BEAGLE NEWS can authouritatively report.

Meanwhile, the stakeholders across the political parties are pushing for zoning in the pending election of who heads the grassroots' administration. 

An impeccable source revealed that the governor is also believed to be interested only in those with unblemished records and those not in anyway aligned with any political faction within the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership.

The source further revealed that the Governor is determined to enthrone a local government administration that will really drive transformations and development at the third tier levels, confiding in some political associates that it is not going to be business as usual.

Another source within the party, who pleaded anonymity, attributed the reason for the governor's position to entrench good governance at the grassroot level, to a great extent, prepare for his re-election in 2027.

The source said: "The governor is not willing to take any chance on the forthcoming local government election and he wants to install those that are very loyal to him and him alone.

"He is interested in those that have been with him for years; from his banking sector years back and those that have been with him from early political career.

"He is a man who has passed through many rivers and did that with some people who he trusts and has absolute confidence in. And those are the kind of people that 'Oga' is looking out for.

"He is trying to prevent what happened to his predecessors in office, whose supposed loyalists are only loyal when food is on the table. In essence, these people must also have connections with their people.

"I can confirm to you that His Excellency has already commenced the search for these people, people that are 'mortally loyal' and can work out their hearts for their people and not political contractors.

"I can tell you a lot will be shocked at the calibre of those who will emerge as APC candidates."

Meanwhile ahead of council elections, stakeholders across party lines are united in zoning of chairmanship and councillorship positions across various communities that make up the local government area and wards.

The stakeholders insist that no matter whose interest is involved, zoning should not be altered so as to give all segments a sense of belonging and reduce political tension and acrimony associated with electioneering at all levels.

An APC stakeholder from Calabar South, Ekpenyong Ekpenyong, said: "As we prepare for the local government elections in the state, all parties and contestants must adhere strictly to zoning arrangements in their communist to bring sanity.

"Besides, political parties must play by the game just as stakeholders must respect the people's wishes and expectations. We will resist the imposition of candidates in any form."

Also speaking, a PDP stalwart from the Northern Senatorial District, Emmanuel Ogar, said: "PDP needs to brace up and maintain their stronghold by embracing zoning and throwing up credible candidates. We are aware that some godfathers are already endorsing their political god-sons in some local governments ahead of the primaries.

"We only enjoin all to consult widely and present a formidable candidate with the backing of all and sundry. The party should remember that we are in opposition and should work harder and rebuild ahead of 2027 using these pending council elections."

The local government election in Cross River state is expected to take place soon with the constitution of the state independent electoral commission and the amendment of the electoral law by the House of Assembly.

CROSIEC is expected to release the election time table any moment from now after the stakeholders' meeting.