The immediate past Cross River State Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, Prof. John Inyang, has strongly refuted allegations of imposing a candidate during the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries for the Idomi Council Ward in Idomi, Yakurr Local Government Area of the State.
Prof. Inyang’s response came after claims of candidate imposition stirred tension in the community, with some aspirants and residents expressing dissatisfaction over the process.
Addressing the allegations, Prof. Inyang dismissed the reports, advising caution in the media’s handling of such stories. “There is no tension in Idomi,” he told TheInvestigator, urging journalists to ensure accurate and balanced reporting. “As a journalist, you should know that parties make decisions and have processes for primaries. So if you say Idomi, are you sure you are fair to yourself?”
He emphasised the importance of verifying sources before publishing stories, particularly when they involve party internal processes. “Even when you sent that thing to me, I corrected you. I said, don’t say people, it’s too ambiguous. So if people that are not members of APC react and you are taking their story, it means you’ve not done a proper investigation.”
Professor Inyang also highlighted that the APC leadership alone has the authority to validate or challenge the conduct of its primaries. He revealed that the entire process was documented. “I cannot do primaries without somebody videoing from A to Z. And it’s only my party that can decide whether I did the correct thing or the wrong thing.”
Addressing the allegations of violence and the use of firearms during the primaries, Professor Inyang warned that such claims are serious and must be investigated. “This issue of guns mentioned in this publication will never be taken for granted. Those behind it should get ready to tell the world where the gun came from and who used it and on whom,” he stated.
Threatening, he added “If you mentioned there is a weapon, it’s a criminal offense. It will be taken to Zone 6 for it to be, just to be proved and justified where weapons came out. I will do it myself, personally, with my resources, and even this one that you have seen, I’ve told you, you will come and justify it if you don’t withdraw my picture and do a rejoinder by yourself,” Inyang told TheInvestigator.
He called for a retraction of the initial story, advising the media to conduct further interviews with other aspirants to ensure a balanced narrative. He noted that grievances are common in electoral contests but should not be exaggerated to create tension. “Some aspirants are aggrieved, and that is the fact. But if you now garnish it to cause challenges to your well-being, then you are not fair to yourself.”
Professor Inyang underscored his commitment to resolving any legitimate concerns about the primaries through the appropriate channels within the APC but cautioned against misinformation or sensationalism that could harm his reputation or misrepresent the situation in Idomi.
