Politics of Yakurr: A Shift in Loyalty and Leadership

By Enang Eja

The unfolding dynamics in Yakurr’s politics bring to mind the tale “How the Cookie Crumbles,” a childhood story my father often narrated. This story perfectly mirrors the sudden shift within Yakurr’s political landscape, recently highlighted by an alleged meeting of loyal supporters of John Owan-Enoh with Senator Eteng Jonah Williams, Hon. Cyril Omini, and Hon. Yibala Igiri Inyang. The meeting, allegedly held at Augustine Omini Iwara’s hotel in Ugep, sought to shape a new political direction for 2025.

However, the question lingers: is this realignment against the political interests of Governor Bassey Edet Otu?

A Facebook post caught my attention recently, with a few people expressing support for Senator Eteng Jonah Williams, Hon. Cyril James Omini, and Hon. Yibala Igiri Inyang, the Chairman of Yakurr Local Government Council. While this display of loyalty was intriguing, it also highlighted the fervent but sometimes misplaced devotion of political supporters in our clime.

But what drives this sudden outpouring of allegiance?

Hon. Inyang, elected less than three months ago, is already being mentioned alongside Senator Eteng, a political figure since 2011. Senator Eteng’s journey began in the Cross River State House of Assembly, where he was first elected in 2011 and re-elected in 2015. By 2019, he had become Speaker of the House, a position he held until 2023. However, his tenure was marked by a lack of notable achievements.

In 2023, he ascended to the Senate, thanks to imposed politics rather than widespread public endorsement. Sadly, his time in the Senate has been underwhelming, with no significant results to show. One wonders if Senator Eteng has appreciated those who worked tirelessly for his election or if this is another case of self-serving politics.

Hon. Inyang should tread carefully. My advice to him is to avoid aligning with individuals whose actions may embroil him in unnecessary disputes. Failure to do so could tarnish his reputation and leave him vulnerable to political fallout.

Hon. Cyril Omini’s actions over the past 17 months have revealed a leader whose priorities are one-sided. By aligning with Senator Eteng, despite his underperformance and lack of gratitude towards the people of Yakurr, Hon. Omini has made his stance clear. His decision demonstrates poor judgment and disregard for the constituency’s expectations.

The Yakurr 1 State Constituency, however, remains a closely-knit community. It is only a matter of time before the people make their voices heard. Representatives who show arrogance and a lack of accountability will ultimately face the consequences of their decisions. For Hon. Omini, the choices made today will undoubtedly shape his political future tomorrow.

Enang Eja writes from Yakurr.

CAVEAT: Views expressed in this article are that of the author, Enang Eja, and do not in any way reflect that of Converseer and or its staff.