Imoke Not Barring Chairmen From 2nd Term – Aide

by crossriverwatch admin

The Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke has not barred any local government chairman in the state from seeking a second term in office. This clarification was made today by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Ita.

Ita in a statement issued in Calabar, said media reports to the contrary were therefore, not true. He explained that what the Governor told party caucuses was that while it is the legitimate right of every local government chairman to seek a second term, such aspiration should not be un-mindful of the zoning arrangement in each local government. According to the Governor, upholding the principle of zoning will ensure equity and guarantee peace.

Part of the state reads “His Excellency also insisted that while the Constitution allows every chairman to seek a second term in office, this however, is not automatic. It has to be earned through performance in office.”

The Governor harped on the need for consensus building in the course of selecting flag-bearers for the forth-coming local government election. It is the Governor’s view that consensus would reduce rancor and rift that often characterize such exercises, ensuring the party goes into the election without divisions.

According to the statement, the Governor used the occasion of the meeting to urge stakeholders in the party to give more opportunities to women if the state is to march the 35 per cent affirmative action.

Crossriverwatch had reported last week that the Cross River State Governor Senator Liyel Imoke has insisted that zoning of positions must have to take place so that those who have not had a touch of such offices could be given an opportunity.

Senator Imoke who is the leader of the PDP in the State had told party caucuses and stakeholders in a meeting held at about 3am on Sunday April 21, 2013 in Calabar that zoning of offices in the coming election is mandatory because it enhances peace and equity so those seeking to return to their posts should give way for others.

The governor said he is aware that those who are angling to return are harping on the fact that they have performed satisfactorily and should be given another three years but that would not be fair to other party faithfuls who have been waiting in the wings to occupy such positions.

The Governor was quoted to have said that even in his Local Government, Abi where Frank Eta, the current chairman is angling to return, he has asked him to stay aside and allow another person take his post.

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