Gov. Bassey Otu .
By Anietie Akpan
The Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Otu, has slashed the fees for Chairmanship and Councillorship forms of the forthcoming Local Government elections in the state.
The Cross State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSIEC) Law stipulates that Chairmanship candidates are required to pay N5 million for the form, while Councillorship candidates must pay N1 million.
This fees by CROSIEC attracted criticisms from some political parties in the state that triggered the governor to have an urgent with the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) leadership in the State in preparation for the upcoming local government elections.
Accompanied by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, the Governor according to a press release on Wednesday by his chief Press Secretary, Comrade Nsa Gill, acceded to IPAC’s request for a revision in the fees for Chairmanship and Councillorship forms as stipulated in the amended State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSIEC) law.
In response to the appeal, Governor Otu acknowledged the challenging economic circumstances faced by all due to ongoing federal government reforms.
He encouraged perseverance, assuring that positive outcomes are imminent and will lead to economic improvements.
Without deviating from CROSIEC’s regulations, the state governor proposed reducing the fee to N1 million for Chairmanship candidates and N200,000 for Councillorship candidates.
He pledged that the government will cover the balance to CROSIEC and ensure compliance with the law.
Otu affirmed his administration’s commitment to inclusivity, people-centered policies, and a fair electoral process for the local government elections.
IPAC’s State Chairman, Engr. Edet Effiom of Action People’s Party (APP), accompanied by over 15 other chairmen of different political parties who are IPAC members, expressed gratitude for the governor’s democratic values.
They assured continued support as long as the administration upholds good governance practices, demonstrating IPAC’s dedication to the state’s developmental goals.
The meeting was also attended by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Emmanuel Ironbar.