His Royal Highness Obol Ofem Inah Edet, Obol Lopon of Idomi, has stepped into the tussle in the community, calling for peace and unity as political tensions rise over the selection of the would-be councillorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking at a peace meeting with the aggrieved aspirants on Saturday at the Obol Lopon Palace in Idomi, Yakurr local government area of Cross River State, the royal father advised all aspirants and their supporters to embrace peace by accepting the choice of Eteng Ofem Inyang, whom both the Idomi community and the ruling party have endorsed for the position.
During the meeting, which reportedly ended on a positive note, Obol Lopon emphasised that the decision to support Inyang is in line with the community’s zoning system.
“It falls on him, the would-be councillor,” the royal father who spoke through His Royal Highness Arikpo Eyong Ekubi, shortly after the meeting stated, pointing out that Inyang’s family ties, including his relation to a serving commissioner, are not the sole reason for his endorsement. Instead, his candidacy aligns with the community’s rotation system, ensuring fair representation.
The Obol Lopon expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the meeting, noting that any aggrieved parties have now accepted the advice given by the traditional council.
“If they were aggrieved before now, the end result is that they are happy and have accepted Obol Lopon’s advice,” a source said, underscoring the unity that prevailed at the end of the session.
Acknowledging that there might have been some mistakes in the selection process, Obol Lopon assured the community that any errors would be corrected in the future. “We are all one family,” he stated, urging the community to avoid actions that could lead to chaos or anarchy.
The monarch also called for the creator of another ward, adding, “Idomi deserves two political wards. So, anyone coming should have that at the back of his/her mind that we need another ward.”
With the community leadership firmly backing Inyang’s candidacy, it appears that the path forward for the upcoming council elections is clearer, as the people of Idomi rally behind the call for peace and unity.
CONVERSEER reports that the aggrieved aspirants, led by Prosper Ofem, earlier disagreed with the way the selection process was carried out by the party.