By Sylvia Akpan
The Young Progressives Party (YPP) Chairman in Cross River, Mr. Anthony Bisong Attah has been reelected as the State Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) Chairman.
IPAC is the umbrella body of all the existing political parties in Nigeria, it also serves as an advisory body to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
The free, fair, and credible election was moderated by IPAC’s National Secretary, Yusuf M. Danielle.
A total of 15 out of the 25 registered parties participated in the election.
The result of the election conducted in the Conference Room of INEC shows that Mr. Anthony Bisong Attah of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) was re-elected as the State Chairman of the body having defeated Amb. Ogar Osim Obu of the Labour Party (LP) with 12 votes to 4 and Prof. Edde Iji of People’s Redemption Party (PRP) with 1 vote.
Dr. Ambo Ekpenyong of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) contested for the position of Organising Secretary and scored 11 votes against Mr. Christopher Eyibio of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) who had 6 votes.
Pastor Ntami Esege of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) contested for the position of State Secretary, scoring 12 votes against Pastor Francis Ayi Ukpanyang of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) with 5 votes.
Patrick Agbor of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) went unopposed for the position of Deputy Chairman.
Edet Edet of the All People’s Party (APP) scored 17 votes to emerge as Publicity Secretary.
Michael Ojisi of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) won the office of Financial Secretary with 16 votes.
Dr. Innocent Ekwok, NRM, emerged as Legal Adviser after scoring 17 votes.
Speaking at the event, the Head of Department, Election and Political Party Monitoring, EPM, Mrs. Eme Eyo congratulated both the winners and losers and charged them to work together for the wellbeing of the association.
“God bless us all for standing by their words in ensuring that the election is free, fair, and credible,” she said.
“With the INEC activities being transparent today, everyone should report positivity and disregard negativity so that the right information can be passed.”
In an interview with CrossRiverWatch, Mr. Attah posited that “My victory is a manifestation of the will of the people and a reflection of good stewardship in my first term as Chairman. I thank God for choosing me at this time to serve as a great mediator between the political class and the people.
“I’m ready to hit the ground running as 2023 is fast approaching, it is not a time to joke because of the sensitive nature of the next election.
“We’ll soon start holding strategic meetings to commence aggressive sensitization of the people of Cross River State in synergy with INEC to update our people with proper knowledge of the new Electoral Act as it affects the next election.”
He concluded by revealing that “I’ll soon unveil the new IPAC secretariat where we’ll effectively plan and execute our people-oriented programs and activities.”