C’River LG Elections: How APC Big-wigs Were Schemed Out Chairmanship 'Consensus' Primaries

By Judex OKORO, Victor UDU and Missang AKPET

Fresh facts have emerged on how All Progressives Congress (APC) political heavyweights lost out in their bid to install their cronies as next local government chairmen as dark horses have emerged as candidates ahead of local government elections.

In what could be described as a political tsunami, the big-wigs were systematically schemed out to bring fresh hands, bring those that are ‘non-aligned’ and pave way for an emerging power bloc mostly made up of mostly politicians that have hitherto not been around the corridor of power.

THE BEAGLE NEWS gathered that these heavy weights lost to high-powered intrigues from the kitchen cabinet of Governor Bassey Out, who are out to protect and project the image of their “boss”. It was also gathered that the new power brokers needed to stamp their foothold on the political space rather than re-aligning their political destines to the old order, who are already entrenched in the politics of the state.

An impeccable source told our reporter that the need for “Oga” to set machinery in motion for his second coming was paramount, thus needs his close allies to drive the process especially at the local government level of governance, adding that it was imperative Governor Bassey Otu took over control of party structures on time to enable him drive his policies and programmes with trusted allies.

Another source revealed that the Governor has, over the years, built some cult followers along his political sojourn and there was an urgent need to accommodate a good number of them in his demonstration, thus, the resort to relatively unknown names, an indication of moves to throw up new political class with no political cleavages.

Recall that THE EAGLE NEWS had exclusively reported in September last month that Governor Bassey Otu had confided in some trusted allies that those that will emerge as next council chairmen “must be mortally loyal" to lead the grassroots governance.

He told his close confidants that he needs people with no political affiliations and who can deliver on the people’s mandate, adding that local government administration is crucial to the development of the state, thus, only candidates with impeccable character will be trusted with power.

Power brokers behind-the-scene

THE BEAGLE NEWS scooped that Governor Bsssey Otu set up think- thank team made up trusted allies and members of kitchen cabinet to drive the selection process across the eighteen local government areas. Prominent among them include the Chief of Staff, Hon. Emmanuel Ironbar, a die-hard supporter of the governor who is said to be the head, the deputy chief of Staff, Mr, Boniface Okache from Yala, Chief Tony Udiandey (Obudu) and RT. Hon. Daniel Asuquo (Dansuki, Akamkpa). Dansuki was visibly present at the APC Caucus meeting that night and was instrumental to the emergence of Akamkpa chairmanship candidate.

Others who worked tirelessly behind the scene in actualising the operation-seek-out-credible candidates include Fred Ntaji, Commissioner 3 in the Civil service Commission from Ogoja, Dr. Egbe Ayuk, commissioner for health, a reliable ally and have the ears of the Governor, Barr. Gilbert Ntui Agbor, Special Adviser, Asset Management and Recovery all from Etung. Gilbert, a trusted ally of some members of the kitchen cabinet, was the arrowhead behind the search for a credible candidate that will be acceptable to the Etung people. He also played a key role in ensuring that communities such as Nsofang and Etomi, that are usually volatile, were keyed into the project that brought about relative peace.

In Biase, the young trio of Commissioner for Youth, Bar. Ijom, Managing Director, Tourism Bureau, Prince Ojoi Ekpenyong, and Director General Bureau of Public Enterprise, Charles Atu, drove the Edodi Edodi’s project while Hon. Cyril Omin (CY as popularly called) was the arrowhead in Yakurr and Emma Abeng, a member of the Forestry Commission coordinated the emergence of Apollo in Obubra.

New helmsmen at grassroots

After much gerrymandering, the new APC helmsmen at the third their level of government, described in political circle as dark horses, emerged. They include Yibala Igri Inyang (Yakurr), Sunny Ebebe Ayang (Obanliku), Pastor James Anam ( Calabar Municipality) Fred Okem (Yala), Mercy Nsor (Ikom), Akposi Felix Akposi (Akamkpa), Theresa Ushie (Bekwarra), Peter Akonfe (Obudu), Asido Etim (Odukpani), Effiom Bassey (BB) (Akpabuyo),and Effiong Bassey Okon (Effiong Eyen) (Bakassi), 

Others are Edodi Edodi Nyong (Biase), Beatrice Nyiam (Boki), and Kingston Arikpo (a.k.a Apollo), (Obubra), Christopher Agbeh (Ogoja), Egbala Egbala Bassey (Abi), Patrick Okon Archibong (Calabar South), Sunny Ayang, (Obanliku) and Henry Anom (Etung). 

It was observed that most of chairmen are members of the Prince is Coming Support group while a few have personal relationship with the Governor, who is said to be a stickler for friendship, especially those who have been with him through thick and thin.

Bigwigs schemed out

Amid the horse trading the like of Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Odey (Ogoja), Secretary to State Government, Prof Anthony Owan-Eno (Etung), the immediate past Governor Ben Ayade (Obudu) Sen. Florence Ita Giwa, (Bakassi) and Rt.Hon. Alex Egbona (Abi).

Others, who couldn’t push through their candidates, are former Senate Leader, Ndoma Egba (Ikom), Amb. Soni Abang (Boki), Speaker Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem (Ikom), and some key political appointees who tried to scheme for their preferred candidates.

From the camp of immediate past local government chairmen, who claimed that there was an unwritten agreement with Sen. Otu, the like of High Chief Nta Eke (Municipality), Iyadim Iyadim (Bakassi) and Emmanuel Isabor Ogoja) were tactically schemed out of the race.

Mixed reactions trial 18 chairmen surprise emergence

Mixed reactions have continued to trail the emergence of some of the APC chairmanship candidates. While a few have hailed the outcome, the majority of the stakeholders are piqued at the recent development where their input and interest were not considered while choosing who to fly the party’s flag at the various councils.

Most of the APC stalwart, who don’t want their names in print, wondered the political mathematics the Governor used in arriving at the list of the candidates he read out on Monday, September 14, 2024. Some of them questioned the rationale behind the selection processes that treated them with levity.

A stakeholder from Obubra, Egbe Johnson, said: “We were given the impress that they will be zoning and the exercise will be very transparent and devoid of usual manipulations. But behold, unknown person emerged in Obubra without our input. It would have been better the Governor just said this is the person I want and we all go home and rest rather than allowing us to go through the rigorous process in the name of participatory democracy.”

Another APC stalwart from Obudu, who identified himself as Agba Agang, said: “It is very surprising that the winner is from the same family that has produced chairmen severally, leaving other people and units out of the business of politics. We couldn’t understand the criteria applied in making a choice for Obudu that contributed to the emergence of the incumbent Governor.

“Besides, if former Governor Ayade, as being speculated, couldn’t install Obudu council chairman, then there is something fishing in APC, where he laid down his life to ensure the party won in the last general election.”

Equally expressing shock at the outcome of the state caucus meeting, a stakeholder, who simply identified his name as Bassey Bassey Ekpenyong, from Calabar South, said: “What has happened to some of stakeholders is an indication that our time is up and no longer needed in state politics. A situation where our opinions were not sort for in terms of choosing the local government leaders simply means we have been tacitly retired from politics. I can’t understand why even the deputy governor could not have a say in his local government as being rumoured around political circles. 

“However, politics is sometimes you lose, sometimes you win. Today, we have lost, maybe next time we would win. But I advise that we always remember those who played critical roles and try to stabilize the political system at a certain point and during electioneering.

On his part, a stakeholder from Ogoja, Emmanuel Igbe, said: “What happened was a political tsunami as those that we never contemplated emerged from the process. Even some big-wigs couldn’t install an ordinary councilors in their wards. In other words, a good number of who-is-who in Cross river politics have been discreetly sidelined to watch from the fringes. It is a painful decision to swallow but we have to accept because it is an indication that our value is gradually going down.”

A cross section hails outcome

Even as some key stakeholders are up in arms against the processes, a cross section of party members have hailed the processes that threw up, what they some described as “political neophytes” as APC chairmanship candidates.

In Etung, Notably, notable APC leaders including the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, Special Adviser to the Governor on Assets Recovery, Gilbert Agbor, Esq, among many others have expressed confidence in the party's victory in the upcoming local government elections. According to them, Anom's emergence has set the stage for an exciting contest believing that Anom will leverage his experience and popularity as a former teacher, councilor, secretary of council and special assistant to the former governor to win over voters.

In a goodwill message, the Hon, Emil Iyang, representing Akamkpa/Biase federal constituency, congratulated Mr. Edodi Eyong (Edison) on his emergence as the chairmanship candidate of APC in Biase local government. He said: “As we move forward, I urge you to prioritize peace, unity, and development of our people. Consider inclusive leadership by bringing other contenders onboard. Leadership is a sacred trust and your emergence presents an opportunity to promote unity and reconciling diverse interests. Remember, Biase is one people. As your National Assembly representative, I remain committed to the best interests of Biase people. Let's collaborate to bring needed development to our people. They direly need unity and development.”

In Akamkpa, leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have expressed gratitude to the Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu, and the party for the emergence of Sir Felix Akposi as the flag bearer of the APC ahead of the forthcoming local government elections scheduled for November 2, 2024.

Speaking on behalf of the leaders, Ntufam Achort Okon and Rt. Hon. George Oben Etchi described the process that led to Akposi’s emergence as divine and gracious. “The emergence of Ophot Akposi as the candidate of our great party was not through factional interests, which have characterized the politics of APC Akamkpa in the past,” Ntufam Okon said. “We thank God for this unifying moment and appreciate the Governor for his wisdom and leadership in guiding this decision.”

In Obubra, a onetime chairman aspirant, Nsiyan Ogar (Dubest) have congratulated Hon. Kingsley Arikpo (Agbor Apolo) on his emergence as APC chairmanship, Obubra local government area, calling on all leaders to embrace the outcome with grace and respect for the democratic process as it will “fulfil the dreams of leading our people in a new direction.”

“I know this news may be disheartening for many of you who have poured your time, energy, and passion into our campaign. However, let us remember that every election is a chapter in a larger story. Our journey does not end here; rather, it marks the beginning of a new phase for all of us,” he stated.

In Ogoja, the member representing Ogoja State Constituency, Hon. Engr Thomas Aruku, congratulated the APC chairmanship candidate for Ogoja local government, Comrade Chris Agbeh, on his emergence as candidate, commending the Deputy Governor, Dr. Hon Peter Odey for displaying leadership by ensuring a level playing ground. He added that Comrade Chris Agbeh is a team player whose team spirit is worthy of commendation and urged him to remain resolute to the collective ideals of moving Ogoja forward and embrace everyone in the task ahead.

In Bekwarra, Pastor Mrs. Cecilia Imaji Oga, a community leader, described the emergence of Hon. Theresa Akwaji Ushie as the consensus candidate of our great party as historic milestone for the people, the community, and a resounding victory for Bekwarra local government area with your emergence as the consensus candidate of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). “We are immensely proud of our collective achievements as women, bringing fresh perspectives and flair to governance. Through our contributions, we have reshaped the political landscape, breaking the norms of male dominance in leadership,” she stated.

In his congratulatory message, Wisdom Ekpo, a community leader, said the emergence of Hon. Etim Asido, as the APC chairmanship candidate for Odukpani local government Area was the handiwork of God, saying “nothing in the world, not all the armies, is strong enough to crush an idea whose time has come when God's grace is upon you.”

Analysts view

According to some analysts, the emergence of the above named candidates of APC signals the end of some notable political bigwigs and have whittled down their influence on the politics of the state in the interim. They argued that the emergence of these non-aligned chairmen across the board has proven that Governor Otu is a man of his own and has discreetly taken over the structures of political governance at the grassroots.