By Jonathan Ugbal
Ahead of the February 26, 2022 legislative by-elections, all is set for the screening of no fewer than a dozen aspirants for two legislative seats in Cross River by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Two seats; Ogoja/Yala federal constituency for the House of Representatives and Akpabuyo for the State House of Assembly are up for grabs.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had slated February 26th for a by-election to fill in the two seats occasioned by a resignation of Jarigbe Agom for the former after he was sworn in as Senator and the death of the legislator for the latter.
And, following the opening up of sale of forms by both parties last week, aspirants had flocked the national secretariats of both parties to obtain nomination and expression of interest forms after payment.
Both parties had slated Monday, January 24, 2022 as last day for the submission of forms at their national secretariats in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and today, for the screening of aspirants.
The by-elections are perceived by many to be a litmus test ahead of the February 2023 general elections. While Governor Ben Ayade and the APC are expected to show might, the PDP is expected to prove that it is the party of choice for Cross Riverians having held sway in the State since 1999 until last year when the Governor switched parties.
The screening process is expected to show whether an aspirant meets the minimum requirements by law and by the constitution of the parties to contest for a particular office.
There will be an appeal to the process before the primary elections which will determine the candidate whose details will be forwarded to the electoral umpire, INEC to represent the party at the polls.
The screening exercise for the APC will hold at its national secretariat in Wuse 2, Abuja, the FCT while that of the PDP will hold in its current State chapter secretariat near Mary Slessor roundabout in Calabar.
With the APC holding theirs in Abuja, the FCT, legal analyst say the party will escape a court process seeking to stop the Chairman-elect, Alphonsus Eba who will serve as an observer at the exercise which will be handled by the Governor Mai Mala Buni led Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee.
CrossRiverWatch will bring you details of the two screening exercises.
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