The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Cross River State chapter, has given the State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, a three-month ultimatum to conduct Local Government elections to pave the way for the participation of grassroots people in governance.
IPAC dropped the ultimatum in a six-point resolution drawn by an enlarged general meeting of the group, which was held on Wednesday, 12th June, to mark the 2024 Democracy Day.
The State Chairman of IPAC, Engr. Effiom Okon, said that the ultimatum became necessary following the Federal Government’s directives and the court rulings on local government autonomy.
Speaking on behalf of IPAC on the topic: “Urgent Call For Local Government Elections In Cross River State,” Engr. Okon said that the only way to bring inclusivity in governance is to conduct local government elections.
Resolution from the meeting, signed by the IPAC Chairman, Okon; the State Secretary, Omari Eje; and read to the members by IPAC State Publicity Secretary, Maxwell Odigha, challenged the National Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) to investigate the management and disbursement of local government funds.
Part of the resolution said, “The Cross River State government must conduct local government elections without delay before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) takes over.
“This is not only a constitutional requirement but also a necessary step towards grassroots development.
“The conduct of local government elections is a constitutional mandate, as enshrined in Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Local government elections will provide privilege for marginalised communities, who lacked representation at the state and federal levels to participate in governance.”
The group also called for the establishment of a three-man committee, chaired by Dr Ekpenyong Ambo, to oversee the local government election process and ensure the people’s demands are met; the dissolution of the Conference of National Political Parties (CNPP) and Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), due to internal conflicts and unauthorised operations and inauguration of caretaker committees to manage the affairs of CNPP and CUPP pending elections.