LG Election: Obubra Youth Kick Against Move To Zone Chairmanship Position To Okum
Ndifereke BASSEY
Group, Adun Youth Forum of Obubra Constituency II in Obubra local government area of Cross River state has kicked against moves by some stakeholders to zone the chairmanship position to Okum bloc ahead of council election.
According to the Group in a statement, such move is calculated attempt to marginalise the Adum people further as most current political positions are held by Okum bloc.
The group warned that they cannot sit back and watch their community being sidelined by political hawks who want to maximize every opportunity that comes to Obubra community. The statement read in part:
"Our attention has been drawn to a resolution purportedly reached at a meeting of Adun-Okum stakeholders under the chairmanship of one Prof. Anyi Ajake Obongha at the NUT Secretariat at 100 Marian Road in Calabar on the 23rd day of August, 2024, purporting that all stakeholders of Adun-Okum constituency have agreed that the Local Government Chairmanship be solely zoned to Okum bloc in the forthcoming Local Government elections.
"We succinctly and categorically state that the purported resolution neither represents the interest of the Adun bloc nor the overall interest of the people of Obubra Local Government Area, as same is selfish and a calculated attempt to rob the people of Obubra of credible representation at the Local Government Chairmanship election.
"It is pertinent to state that the Okum bloc are presently inundated with political appointees including the Commissioner for Women Affairs, and a House of Representatives member, who is in his third cycle of four years at the National Assembly, whilst the Adun bloc in Obubra Constituency II has barely a member in the house of assembly in the present Government.
"However, it is the desire of our people, the people of Obubra Local Government Area, to have a free and fair election where a popular and a credible representative of the people will be allowed to vie for the office of the Chairman of Council.
"Finally, it is our position that Okum bloc is not entitled to enjoy zoning as that would deprive Obubra the opportunity of electing a credible and a competent chairman in a just and fair electoral process.
"We trust that the leadership of our great party will not support the oppressive intentions of these enemies of democracy," it stated.
