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Jesuspet
#EndSARS: Obong Of Calabar Calls For Interim Govt In Cross River
Vexed by the 48-hour total break down of law and order leading to vandalisation and arson of government and private properties in Calabar, Cross River, the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V has called for establishment of an interim government in the state.The Obong, who made this declaration, yesterday, in his palace, when the immediate past governor of the state, Senator Liyel Imoke paid him a courtesy visit on the October 23 and 24 carnage in Calabar said: “I have been watching and I am so unhappy that the peace and calm we used to have here is taken away. Why? Because we have failed. Who has failed? The politicians have failed. There is need to change.“And if I had my way, I would have said this governor should wait. Let’s set up an interim administration, so that he can start learning and looking at how administration is actually done. We don’t allow people to come in and do anything the way they like. No, there is a principle; there is a policy that should be adhered to…
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Jesuspet
Voter Apathy In AIbom LG Election As APC, Other Parties Shun Exercise
THE local government election which was held across the 31 council, areas in Akwa Ibom state on Saturday was devoid of the usual boisterous and competitive atmosphere.Major political parties especially the opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) did not participate in the council poll thereby making the exercise purely a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) affair.The APC had accused the Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC) of aligning with the ruling PDP, declaring its lack of confidence in the electoral body to conduct a credible, free and fair election.The opposition party had also kicked against the creation of additional 39 wards, saying it was unconstitutional and a ploy by the AKISIEC to rig the council election in favour of the PDPAs a result, the APC had declared its intention to boycott the local government poll in a press statement signed by its state publicity secretary, Nkereuwem Enyongekere.Expectedly, Saturday’s council election witnessed massive voter apathy across most units and wards in the state.In the Eket local government area, for instance, some units did not receive voting materials on time even as distribution of materials was very slow when they finally arrived.Materials arrived at Eket central 3, Afia Nist at about 10.42am, only the electoral officers and security agents were available.In Uyo urban ward 1, 2, 3 and 4, no voter was seen around the polling units even though electoral officers were on ground and ready for the elections by 9am.But the exercise was generally peaceful as no case of ballot snatching, reckless driving and violence was reported from the units visited as at time of filing this report.However, Governor Udom Emmanuel has commended the AKISIEC for working to ensure a transparent and smooth Local Government election in the state.
