As the November 2nd local government elections in Cross River State draw near, stakeholders from Wanikade Ward have made a fervent appeal to Governor Senator Prince Bassey Otu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership to consider micro-zoning the party’s chairmanship ticket to their ward.
The call aligns with the principles of justice and fairness, as Wanikade Ward advocates for equitable representation in the upcoming elections. Stakeholders emphasize that zoning the APC chairmanship ticket to Wanikade would uphold the values of justice, equity, and a balanced distribution of leadership roles within Yala Local Government Area.
Historically, Yala politics has adhered to a zoning arrangement established in 2010 by a committee led by Hon. (Barr.) Ogana Lukpata. This agreement formalized a rotational system between Constituency 1 (Yala) and Constituency 2 (Ukelle), ensuring leadership positions among wards in Ukelle are allocated without disputes.
Each time the chairmanship is assigned to Ukelle, leaders convene to further micro-zone the position to a ward that has not previously held it. Citing examples, stakeholders noted, “In 2007, the chairmanship was zoned to Ukelle, leading to the election of Hon. (Barr.) Fidel Egoro from Mfuma/Ntrigom Ward. Similarly, in 2013, Igede Ward was chosen, resulting in the emergence of Hon. Mike Ede Usibe.”
During these strategic meetings, Wanikade was explicitly marked as the next in line to receive the chairmanship, having never had the opportunity to occupy the position since the local government’s establishment in 1991. This long-standing exclusion highlights a significant imbalance in representation within Ukelle and the broader Yala Local Government Area.
The Wanikade stakeholders stressed that their plea for micro-zoning is rooted in a desire for fairness and justice. “Other wards in Ukelle have had their turns in leading the council, but Wanikade has been left out, despite numerous cycles. It is time to correct this historical disparity,” they argued, emphasizing that their appeal is both reasonable and overdue.
As the APC begins its processes for expression of intent, Wanikade leaders reiterate the importance of addressing this imbalance. They believe that zoning the chairmanship to their ward will promote equity and unity within Ukelle and Yala, fostering an inclusive political landscape.
The stakeholders expressed deep gratitude to Governor Otu and Barr. Alphonsus Eba, the APC Chairman in Cross River State, for their leadership. However, they urged the party to ensure balanced representation when selecting its flag bearer, advocating for a decision that honours their longstanding aspirations for justice and fairness.
