By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
The leadership of Cross River State chaoter of the Inter Party Advisory Council, IPAC, yesterday hailed the newly-inaugurated council chairmen for their victory at the just-concluded November 2 local government council election across the 18 council areas of the state.
IPAC therefore urged the new local government council chairmen and councillors ensure inclusivity by including in their administration those with lofty ideas that could move their local councils and the state forward.
Cross River State IPAC chairman, Engr. Effiom Edet-Okon, gave this advice while speaking with our correspondent in Calabar, shortly after the inauguration of the 18 local council chairmen, which took place at the Government House, in Calabar.
Effiom, who spoke in company of the organization’s state Secretary, Comrade Fredrick Eje, commended members of the All Orogresssives Congress, APC, who won all councillorship seats across the 196 wards in the state, stressing that the victory was for all and not for the winners alone.
The IPAC chairman hailed the electorate for creating a conducive atmosphere during the contest, just as he also gave kudos to the Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission, CROSIElC, for sticking to the election time table given to the people.
He said, “I commended the state governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, for heeding to the call for local government autonomy, stressing that autonomy will attract grassroots development.”
Addvocating for electoral reforms, which according to him would bring a better electoral process in the future, he addendum that with the reforms, democracy can be deepened.
The IPAC chairman advised parties that lost in the contest to be gallant in defeat, or seek redress through appropriate means to resolve their differences instead of resorting to unconventional approach that would destabilize the council areas.
Edet-Okon also canvassed for inclusivity in governance at the grassroots level by the ruling party so that those with good ideas can contribute their quota towards the development of the local councils.
