Legislative By-Election: Okputu, Onwe Write APC As Ngaji Emerges Candidate

By Jonathan Ugbal

A former Security Adviser to the Cross River State Government, Jude Ogbeche Ngaji on Tuesday at Ogoja, emerged as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the February 26, 2022 legislative by-elections.

Ngaji will square of with candidates of other parties in the race for the seat of the Member, representing the Ogoja/Yala federal constituency in the green chambers of the ninth National Assembly.

The by-election is necessitated by the movement of the previous parliamentarian, Jarigbe Agom to the red chambers following the decision of the courts which sacked Dr. Stephen Odey whom had been sworn-in to replace Senator Rose Oko whose demise led to a vacancy in the Senate to be filled.

Mr. Ngaji was declared the flag bearer by the returning officer, Barr. Emilia Okonji at the Ogoja council secretariat after a voice vote affirmation from APC members in the two Local Government Areas of the constituency conducted by Abang Williams (Ogoja) and Egbung Odama (Yala).

The affirmations were preceded by the formal withdrawal of a former Chairman of the State’s civil service commission, Dr. Julius Okputu and businessman, Chief Henry Onwe.

Okputu who had told CrossRiverWatch in an interview that he was not a party to the consensus candidate agreement of last week, in his address, said he agreed following a call to him by the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Stephen Odey and the new agreement that was reached.

“It was the interest of natural justice that the governor and party leadership resolved in vehemence,” Okputu said concerning the consensus approach, adding that, “I have personal knowledge of that resolve and position, my aspiration did not come from the blues. The governor is (a) stickler for the things that unite us – equity, fair play, ethical politics and justice.”

The trio are all natives of Yala. The council has two State constituencies with Okputu and Onwe hailing from Constituency 2 (Ukelle) which is said to have been marginalized politically in the past. This was viewed as the turn of the Ukelle people. However, Ngaji, a native of Okpoma in Yala 1 constituency emerged – a scenario that Okputu said puts a question, he had a answer to, in the minds of the voters.

“The answer is simple – we should all move as a family, go tell our brothers and sisters in Ukelle that they will have their due in 2023.” he said. He continued, “If we must concede to the consensus candidature agreement, the consensus candidate must commit to this deal.”

For Onwe, the decision of the party was supreme and pledged to within days collapse his campaign structure to ensure the party emerges victorious at the polls.

The duo were asked by Barr. Okonji to write the party indicating that they had withdrawn from the race and back Mr. Ngaji. The letters were written and submitted at the venue of the affirmation primaries.

Earlier, the Chairman – elect of the APC, Barr. Alphonsus Eba had said the gathering was in thanksgiving to God and his representative in the State – Governor Ben Ayade.

He urged the party faithful to do the needful by going back to their polling units and campaigning to ensure the political evangelism project gains more ground.

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