Cross River State Assembly Leadership, Why Rt. Hon. Elvert Is Best Fit For Speakership
As the dust and tension that came with the 2023 general elections gradually settles, the business of governance and proper legislative duty with its day to day activity is ticking to commence in a couple of weeks.
For the Cross River State house of assembly, the burden upon their shoulders is even more weightier, considering how rapid the state needs to grow in terms of economic expansion, infrastructural development, aggressive agro-revolution, human capital development, total overhaul of the state civil service among others.
In working together with the executive arm of the state to ensure Cross Riverians enjoy all of these benefits, it becomes critical for the state to have a coordinated, articulate, firm and very focused legislative arm which will not only perform their core mandate of law making, but will also closely monitor the implementation of such laws by the executive arm as well as perform their oversight function so as to birth a modern Cross River.
To this end, it becomes extremely pertinent to have a leadership of the state house of assembly that will not only know what to do but will ensure that those things are done. A leadership that understands the body language of the people, one that is people centered and accommodating, as well as one which will be seen by the generality of people, as being fair, just and equitable.
Prominent among those canvassing to occupy the speakership position of the house are Rt. Hon. Ayambem Elvert, a second term assembly member from Ikom 11 state constituency and Rt. Hon. Hilary Bisong, a third term member representing Boki 11 State constituency.
A few things that stands against the candidacy of Hon. Hilary Bisong is his bad public reputation amongst political followers and actors in the state. Apart from his poor interpersonal relationship, he is reported to be proud and power drunk, an attribute that does not sit well with many power brokers in Boki, his immediate community.
Hon Hilary Bisong’s ambition as speaker is also faced with a crisis of serious political balance within the central senatorial district, where his immediate Boki LGA has produced a house of representatives member-elect for the Ikom/Boki federal constituency, this is apart from the fact that the director general of the governor-elect, campaign organization, Amb. Soni Abang is from that same constituency. Many believe that leaving the position of speaker of the house in Boki will not only be bad political calculation, but will also further dwindle the fortunes of the rulling APC in Ikom LGA a perceived stronghold of the PDP. .
Perhaps, the biggest obstacle against Hon. Hillary is the fact that his biological mother from Boki LGA is the current Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, a situation many see as a dangerous temptation APC and the leadership of the State House of assembly must consciously avoid so as not to portray the party as being insensitive, careless and morally imbalance, especially as Hon. Hillary is believed to be the one in firm control of the university affairs were he influences contract awards and other things.
Apart from the fact that Hon. Hillary Bisong’ lost his own political ward and that his about 800 votes win margin to emerge victorious at the polls and other issues is strongly being contested against at the election petition tribunal by candidates of both PDP and the Labour party might be too dangerous for the APC and the house to risk allowing the court dismiss the election of the speaker.
Beyond the fact that his election is seriously threatened, many of his constituents believes that a speakership for him will also mean a call for 4th term so as to finish with the governor a development they will vehemently oppose as no one has ever done a third term talk less of a fourth, judging from the foregrounds, there are truly several road blocks to the realization of Hon Hilary speakership whereas the arguments and advocacies for equity and fairness favours Hon Elvert.
On the other hand, Hon. Elvert, a calm and accessible lawmaker is more preferred amongst political power brokers and stakeholders. Reasons are that, apart from his loyalty and respect for leadership, he will be more easy to manage and work with. Importantly, Ikom being the political capital of the central senatorial district should not be left without any position.
Hon. Elvert is also not known to be ambitious, unlike Hon Hilary who is rumoured to be positioning self for governorship immediately after proposed 8 years of Sen. Prince Otu .
Hon. Elvert with his calm disposition, is believed to posses the stamina and resource to stabilize the 10th Assembly from all unnecessary distractions,
A lot Will unfold in the coming days. But Truth be told, the majority demand in central senatorial district today is Ikom should produce the next speaker and that is in the person of Rt Hon Elvert Ayambe.
John bissong writes from Boki
Short URL: https://newsrangers.com/?p=105573
Posted by News Rangers
on Apr 13 2023. Filed under Politics.
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