Although the opposition PDP has accused Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State, southern Nigeria, of selecting suspected card-carrying members of the ruling APC to constitute the Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSIEC) management team, he has gone ahead to inaugurate them.
In a statement last week, Mike Ojisi, publicity secretary of the PDP, alleged that the governor wants to further strengthen the APC to win the upcoming local government council election at all costs.
The state House of Assembly formally ratified their nomination today.
Mr. Ekong Edet Boco has been confirmed and inaugurated as the Chairman, while Mrs. Rose Banku Atep, Mr. Adogah, Joseph Ipuole, Eutendala Eno, Barr Daniel Edet, Dr. Eyo Otu Eyo, and Mr. Jerry Adie Akabisong are the members.
Dr. Lawrence Edu is the commission’s secretary.
The Governor tasked the members to uphold the principles of integrity, fairness, and dedication to credible elections that will midwife the return of local government administration, a tier of government that he described as “closest to the people.”
“It is with a sense of purpose that I swear-in members of the State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSIEC) as a gesture to strengthen the democratic institution and the third tier of government.
“There is a disconnect between the local government councils of states and the people in rural areas due to a lack of communication. According to Otu, who emphasized that participatory democracy is the root of this situation, the local government, being the closest to the people, is considered the heartbeat of the people.
