Barrister Alphonsus Ogar, the State APC Chairman has been contacted for comment about the allegations raised.
By TheInvestigator
The Ijegu Ojor autonomous community in Yala local government area of Cross River State has raised concerns over what they describe as a calculated move to deny their members the right to participate in the upcoming Cross River State local government election. According to a recent statement by Comrade Ogar Emmanuel Oko, Public Relations Officer of the Ijegu Ojor Autonomous Communities, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is allegedly behind a plot to sideline aspirants from the majority Ijegu Ojor community in favor of a minority group within Ugaga Ward.
The controversy centers around the selection process for the councilor candidate for Ugaga Ward. Reports indicate that the APC has zoned the position to a minority community, a move that would exclude Ijegu Ojor, which boasts six polling units, from contesting. The decision has sparked outrage among community members, who view it as a violation of their democratic rights.
Two weeks ago, the Ijegu Ojor Youth Leader expressed concerns over this exclusionary tactic, which many initially dismissed. However, recent developments have lent credence to the fears, with intelligence reports pointing to an unofficial directive from the APC leadership to sideline Ijegu Ojor aspirants.
Comrade Oko described the alleged actions as “undemocratic, anti-people, and antithetical to the principles of egalitarianism.” He further emphasized that attempting to favor a minority group with only one polling unit over the majority is a clear infringement on the rights of the Ijegu Ojor people.
While urging the community’s youths to remain calm, Oko called on all political parties to ensure fair treatment of the Ijegu Ojor people in the electoral process. He warned that the community would take unified action if their members are denied the right to participate fully in the election.
Barrister Alphonsus Ogar, the State APC Chairman has been contacted for comment about the allegations raised.