Lawrence Enyoghasu
The people of Cross River Central Senatorial District have given reasons for backing the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and their anger with the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
They also accused PDP and APC of planning to disrupt the peace in the state.
The zone, according to one of its leaders, Victor Oyama, said Obubra has suffered 20 years of marginalisation from PDP and APC.
“For APC and PDP to field candidates from old Ikom despite knowing the political history of Cross River Central seems as if they want to destroy the bond of brotherhood between Obubra and Ikom people.
“The other section will now be thinking that all of us in old Ikom are power grabbers, and we fear that when they eventually occupy the senatorial seat, they wouldn’t want to hand over to our children. So, justice should prevail,” he said.
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Cross River Central comprises the old Ikom and the old Obubra. These used to be local government areas until Abi, Yakurr, Etung, and Boki were added to the two. But, about 20 years now, since the return of democracy, old Ikom has been occupying that position.
The other half of the senatorial district, old Obubra, believes that it is their turn to produce a senator, as they have been patiently supporting the old Ikom over the years to win the seat. This feeling is gaining momentum as the SDP has given its ticket to an Obubra son.
Also speaking to Daily Sun, another leader, Eval Ejeje Egbe, from Abi council said: “They have resolved to vote against any party that didn’t field a senatorial candidate from the old Obubra.
“In PDP and APC, aspirants from Obubra sought the ticket, but they were sidestepped and the tickets of both parties went to persons from Ikom, despite outcries of marginalisation from the Obubra people.
“So, the people have resolved that, this time, it is their turn, and are not ready to listen to candidates from the other parts of the district when they come to campaign.”