By Jonathan Ugbal
Political parties fielding candidates for the February 26th 2022, legislative by-elections in Cross River State on Thursday, rounded up their campaigns amidst heavy security presence.
Two legislative seats – Ogoja/Yala federal constituency and Akpabuyo State constituency are up for grabs.
And, the intense politicking peaked on Thursday when bigwigs of the two major parties – the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) concluded their campaigns.
In northern Cross River, while the APC brought in Governors Nasir El-Rufai, David Umahi and Atiku Bagudu of Kaduna, Ebonyi and Jigawa States respectively to join Cross River Governor, Ben Ayade at Okpoma, Yala Local Government Area, the PDP relied on its bigwigs in the State including former Governor Liyel Imoke and the three Senators, Jarigbe Agom (north), Sandy Onor (central) and Gershom Bassey (south) to conclude at Ogoja.
The PDP had slated its finale for Okpoma, but the APC is said to have poked their noses by fixing the same venue as well, and sources said the PDP decided to avoid an all out confrontation.
In Yala, Mr. Ayade had told supporters that there was need to vote the APC as the State cannot afford to play opposition since it was a minority.
In Ogoja, the PDP said that the development in the State was brought by the PDP, hence the need to continue with the party.
As at press time, despite the window for campaigns elapsing, candidates and their supporters were still meeting at different points to finalize plans for the elections in what they called ‘door to door’.
In Akpabuyo, there was little drama as both parties concluded their activities peacefully.
Meanwhile, there is currently heavy security presence in Ogoja and Yala Local Government Areas.
While soldiers from the Brigadier Godwin Ally cantonment are found in major entrances into the constituency, different police detachments including MOPOL, Anti Cultism and Kidnapping Squad (ACKS), Operation Puff Adder patrol the towns intermittently.
Before the arrival of the visiting governors, policemen had line the route from Ndok junction through Abakpa, Igoli in Ogoja into Okuku and Okpoma in Yala. It was a similar incident between Yahe, Mfum into Okpoma in Yala.
This reporter observed that no fewer than four trucks carrying over 35 police operatives decked in black tops and jeans and fiery red caps from the Dragon Squad ACKS led by CSP Abdul Awodi left Calabar at about 1:00PM heading for Ogoja. The Police had since said it mobilized 6,000 personnel for the elections.
And, the Cross River PDP, in a statement issued on Thursday, kicked over the alleged invitation of the Nigerian Army by Governor Ben Ayade to provide security cover in the elections. The State Government is yet to respond to the allegations.