IKOM– Critical Stakeholders of Ikom Local Government Area have unanimously condemned what they described as the “unruly act” of Barr. Mary Ogoba Ekpere during the just concluded APC Central Senatorial District primaries.
Speaking at a Press Briefing in Ikom, the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, said the disruption undermined the peaceful conduct of the exercise. He gave an analogy of how the two blocs of the Central Senatorial District—Old Ikom and Old Obubra—have had a fair share of the Senate seat for 24 years, arguing that it was only brotherly to allow Old Obubra to produce the next candidate.
“The process was peaceful across all LGAs. Regrettably, one aspirant chose to disrupt the collation when results from Boki and other areas were being received,” Ayambem stated.
The Executive Chairman of Ikom LGA, Hon. Pst. [Mrs] Mercy Nsor, also condemned the incident, noting that the aspirant failed to conduct herself in an important exercise involving both the State and National organs of our party.
“I’m in line with the Speaker that elections were conducted peacefully. One of the aspirants only came to the collation center at the time when results were received from Boki and other LGAs for final collation to storm the venue with touts and disrupt the process,” Hon. Nsor said. She emphasized that the Ikom LGA Council served as the final collation point for the Central Senatorial primaries, as such, no illegal activity was taking place in the venue.
Other Stakeholders who spoke in support included Hon. Prince Eka Williams, Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy; Barr. Bassey Okim, Commissioner with the State Planning Commission; the Collation Officer, Hon. Asinya Ntan; and the Chapter Chairman of Ikom LGA, Hon. Matthew Egomo, who spoke on behalf of the eleven Ward Chairmen.
The Stakeholders said the action threatened party unity and the credibility of the internal democratic process.
A communique detailing their position has been forwarded to the National Chairman of the APC, calling for disciplinary action against the culprit. The State Party Chairman has reportedly commenced investigations into the matter. As such, the good people of Ikom LGA should remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding, as necessary disciplinary actions will take place as soon as investigations are concluded, as stated by the Party.
