By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
Chairman of Cross River State Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, Engr. Edet Effiom, has charged candidates contesting as chairman and councillors in the November 2 local government council election in the state to limit their campaigns to issues rather than embarking on campaign of calumny.
The IPAC chairman dropped the advice while commenting ahead of the forthcoming elections in Calabar on Saturday.
He urged the leadership of political parties operating in the state not to engage in actions that could spark political unrest, wishing the candidates success in the forthcoming local government poll scheduled for November 2, 2024.
Lauding thee candidates jostling to occupy the position of chairmen and councillors to conduct their political activities in a manner that won’t compromise the peace of the state, he stressed that it is only when peace exist that development can be attracted to the state.
He said, “I charge everyone involved in the contest to conduct him or herself peacefully, as no society or business thrives where there is anarchy.
“Election is not a do-or-die affair, but only a contest that enables us to pick our leaders. Election is nothing but a game, where you either lose or win.
“On that note, let me use this rare privilege to commend all successful candidates whose names were recently published by the Cross River State Independence Electoral Commission, CROSIEC.
“I encourage candidates to engage only in issue-based campaigns as they prepare to reach out to the electorate in their respective wards and local government areas.
In a release issued by IPAC, and signed by the state chairman, Engr. Effiom and made available to our news desk in Calabar, all political parties participating in the election were urged to establish their campaign councils across the local government areas, for effective coordination of campaigns.
IPAC lauded the state electoral umpire, CROSIEC, for surmounting all the challenges involved with conducting free and fair elections.
The statement added, “We commend the governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, for non-interfering in the electoral process, and for allowing the state electoral umpire to fix things without undue interference ahead of the forthcoming November council polls.”
