By Blessing Francis
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Cross River State, has announced plans to tour all 18 local government areas of the state to assess government projects and engage communities on governance and development priorities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The council also announced a statewide political stakeholders’ conference scheduled for November 30 and a political parties’ peace walk on December 5, 2026, as part of efforts to promote political tolerance, peaceful participation and credible elections.
The State Chairman of IPAC, Engr. Effiom Edet Okon, disclosed this in a press statement, reaffirming the council’s commitment to democratic principles, accountable governance and the protection of the constitutional rights of legally recognized political parties.
He said the proposed assessment tour will involve physical inspections of government projects, evaluation of their implementation and impact on communities, identification of development gaps and recommendations to improve service delivery.
IPAC said the exercise was not intended to witch-hunt the government or undermine political officeholders but to strengthen transparency, accountability and people-centered governance.
The Council disclosed that it had received assurances from Governor Bassey Otu regarding the provision of an open and democratic political environment in which all political parties could exercise their constitutional rights.
It also acknowledged the governor’s directive for the arrest of individuals allegedly responsible for attacks on political actors, describing the move as important to protecting political participation and strengthening democratic institutions.
Assessment Tour Begins November 10
In an itinerary released by the Council, the statewide assessment tour will commence on November 10, 2026, covering the following local government areas: November 10: Biase, Akamkpa and Odukpani. November 12: Bakassi and Akpabuyo. November 16: Ogoja and Yala. November 17: Bekwarra, Obudu and Obanliku. November 18: Boki.
Others include November 19: Ikom, Etung and Obubra. November 20: Yakurr and Abi and November 21: Calabar South and Calabar Municipal.
Local government chairmen, vice chairmen, councillors, traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society organizations, youth and women leaders, political party representatives and residents are invited to participate in the engagements.
IPAC encouraged citizens to use the opportunity to highlight developmental priorities, ongoing projects, community needs and other issues requiring government intervention.
Statewide Political Stakeholders’ Conference
As part of the program, IPAC announced a Political Parties and Stakeholders’ Conference scheduled for November 30, 2026, at the Metropolitan Hotel, Calabar, by 2 p.m.
The conference, themed “2027 Elections: From Voices to Votes – Process, Participation, Security and National Stability Beyond 2027,” will bring together political parties, government representatives, security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), civil society organizations, traditional institutions, religious leaders, women and youth groups, and the media.
According to IPAC, the engagement will focus on electoral integrity, citizens’ participation, political inclusion, election security, peaceful political competition, institutional accountability and national stability beyond the 2027 general elections.
It described the conference as an opportunity for democratic stakeholders to deliberate on the future of electoral democracy and identify ways to strengthen peaceful political participation.
Meanwhile, IPAC has disclosed plans to organize a statewide Political Parties Peace Walk on Saturday, December 5, 2026.
The walk as contained in the statement will commence at 9AM from the 11/11 Roundabout in Calabar under the theme, “Unity in Diversity, Peace for a Greater Cross River.”
It noted that the initiative is designed to demonstrate the collective commitment of political parties and their supporters to peaceful coexistence, political tolerance and credible democratic participation.
The council extended invitations to governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives, State House of Assembly and other political candidates across legally recognized political parties in the state.
It also urged political party chairmen to mobilize their candidates, supporters, campaign coordinators, youth and women wings for the exercise.
IPAC emphasized that the peace walk would not be a campaign rally for any individual, political party or candidate but a collective demonstration of commitment to peace and democratic stability.
The body said it wanted political opponents to walk side by side to demonstrate that differences in political ideology and competition for elective positions should not translate into hostility or violence.
Reiterating its commitment to peaceful elections, IPAC urged political parties to embrace dialogue over confrontation, persuasion over intimidation and constructive criticism over political hostility, while maintaining that its assessment tour, stakeholders’ conference and peace walk were aimed at promoting accountability, responsible political participation and peaceful coexistence as Cross River State prepares for the 2027 general elections.
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