LGA Elections: The Need for APC to get it right in Ikom LGA
As the preparations for the forthcoming LGA elections commences, the Cross River State APC and stakeholders must ensure it fields candidates with significant electoral value. Given the introduction of BVA’s by INEC, elections in Nigeria is no longer business as usual. With the loss of a sitting governor in Osun State, stakeholders must wake up to the new reality.
As the Cross River APC makes the all important decision of choosing her LGA candidates, its necessary to run a comparative analysis for the purpose of arriving at the best candidate on the basis of equity, fairness and justice, especially in LGA’s that are known to be strongholds of Sen. Sandy Onor, the PDP gubernatorial candidate
Our focus is on Ikom LGA, an LGA with massive support for the PDP and one of the strongholds of the PDP guber aspirant, Sen. Sandy Onor. For the APC to stand a chance of winning Ikom in the forthcoming general and LGA elections, the party has a duty to put forward its very best as LGA Chairmanship flagbearer. He or she must be must be widely accepted across the LGA and across party lines, he must be extremely popular.
Secondly, emphasis must be made to balance the equation between the Old and New APC. Almost all the positions were graciously given to the Old APC members, with the forthcoming LGA chairmanship primaries, the party must ensure her flagbearer for Ikom LGA is a product of the New APC.
Thirdly, the party must consider wards that have been marginalized, for equity, fairness and justice.
A couple of aspirants have declared interest from different wards namely Akparabong, Ufutop and Ololumo. It is instructive to note that, the Cross River State APC took the path of equity and fairness as can be seen in its choice of candidates across the state. The principle of zoning and recognizing areas that have been marginalized for representation is key to the adoption of an acceptable candidate.
Of the three wards mentioned above, Ololumo ward conspicuously stands out as the most marginalized ward in Ikom. It has never enjoyed the luxury of producing an LGA Chairman since 1999 but has been committed in her support to other wards and contributed immensely to the growth of the LGA.
Having been patient and devoted in her contribution to the overall interest of Ikom, It is time for leaders and stakeholders of other wards, in the spirit of equity to look towards Ololumo.
Akparabong already enjoys the position of State Deputy Chairman and Deputy Chapter Chairman. In the last Presidential Primaries, Akparabong alone took two slots of the three delegate slots assigned to the LGA.
Sen. Victor Ndoma Egba, the leader of APC in Ikom has been at the forefront, championing the cause of zoning and equity in State, his unequivocal position on fairness and justice has drawn enormous respect for standing on the path of truth. In the same vein he has the onerous task of ensuring zoning and equity is granted to the marginalized Ololumo ward in Ikom LGA.
His fatherly role in midwifing this process will further give strength to the APC family in Ikom, paving the way for a rancor free campaign and victory at the polls.
For the Ikom LGA Chairmanship ticket, It is the undeniable turn of Ololumo Ward and voices even from other wards are calling on the leadership to zone it to Ololumo.
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