LG Election: Cross River Government Succumbs to Demand for Lower Cost
By Eme Offiong, Calabar
The Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu has yielded to the appeal of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC for reduction in the cost of local government election forms.
Governor Otu, who held discussions with the Inter-Party Advisory Council leadership in the State ahead of the elections, consented to the request for a downward review from the earlier exorbitant cost imposed on political parties aspirants by the Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission, CROSIEC.
Recall that CROSIEC, at a recent meeting with political parties in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, announced the cost for sales of nomination forms for Chairmanship and Councillorship positions.
According to the CROSIEC Chairman, Mr. Edet Boco, the electoral law stipulates that chairmanship aspirations are required to pay ₦5 Million for the form, while those vying for Councillorship positions must pay ₦1 Million.
Otu, accompanied by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, announced, “with due consideration to the Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission Law, I hereby approve a reductions in the cost of Chairmanship form from ₦5 Million to ₦1 Million (One million naira), while aspirants seeking to bye for Councillorship offices would now pay ₦200,000 for nomination forms.”
“I pledge that my administration would cover the balance to CROSIEC in compliance with the law. Our priority is to ensure inclusivity, people oriented policies and restore good governance structure through a fair electoral process at the grassroots,” the governor stated.
The State chairman of IPAC, Mr. Edet Effiom of the Action People’s Party (APP) expressed appreciation to the governor for upholding democratic values.
Edet, who led 15 other political parties Chairmen, assured that IPAC as a body would support the Otu led administration provided good governance practices continue to be upheld for the benefit of rhe people of Cross River State.
Confidence Okwuchi
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