Chieftains of the All Progressives Congress, APC, have described the turnout of people for the membership registration exercise as impressive in Cross River State, Southern Nigeria.
The chieftains, who have all relocated to their wards across the state, said the exercise which began three weeks ago was peaceful and smooth.
Comprehensive database
John Ochala, the immediate past Chairman of APC in Cross River State, while speaking via telephone, said that the registration exercise would enable the party have a comprehensive database and a positive development.
He said, “the turnout is encouraging. In some places the turnout is amazing. We are excited about the response because the registers in some wards are filled and people are requesting for more forms to register the people.”
According to the former APC State Chairman, the exercise has been plagued by a few setbacks such as shortage of registration materials, lack of image capturing equipment in rural communities and mobility to reach villages in difficult terrains.
“You will not believe this, but lack of passport photographs has been one of the major challenges we have experienced. Most of those in the rural areas do not have passport photographs. The party in her wisdom encouraged all leaders to return to their wards and units and see how they can assist,” said Ochala.
He further said that the leaders heeded the call and have returned to their units and wards to fund the provision of passport photographs and transportation for a smooth exercise.
Massive turnout
Also speaking from Odukpani local government area, Bassey Ita, the state publicity secretary, affirmed that the registration exercise was successful and that at several units in Odukpani, the people were waiting for additional forms.
Ita said, “in Odukpani local government area, the exercise has witness massive turnout to the point that there were reports of exhaustion of materials. We have such cases in about five wards in Odukpani where the turnout was high.”
“In the three wards of Eburutu, two forms would not be enough if you see the response from people seeking to register. You should know that each registration forms carries one hundred leaflets. So, if you give one of the wards two additional forms that would be three hundred and that would not be enough,” stated Ita.
The State Publicity Secretary also said the party at the national has assured of its preparedness to address the challenges raised.
Effective coverage
Another party stalwart, Sylvester Okpo, the former Vice Chairman South of the APC in Cross River, said that the exercise started three weeks ago as a result of leaders making preparations for effective coverage.
Okpo stated, “the registration exercise was supposed to be at the various polling booths in the State and registration officers appointed as such. But, due to certain issues that needed to be addressed, the registration officers in some areas were urged to move from house to house for the exercise.”
“The registration officers close each day at 4pm and resume as early as 9am. However, in other areas, our registration officers are stationery. It is important to let you know that people in Cross River State are happy about the exercise and hope that come 2023, APC would take over the state,” he said.
The Stalwarts urged the people to take advantage of the registration exercise and align with the party for better impact in Cross River come 2023.
Dominica Nwabufo
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