… urge decorum amid political disagreements

By Jimoh Babatunde

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, stakeholders from the Central Senatorial District of Cross River State have expressed concerns about the quality of representation in the zone and called for a change in leadership direction.

Speaking during a public engagement, the stakeholders said the district would benefit from renewed leadership and broader participation, noting that political offices should allow room for rotation and fresh ideas in line with democratic principles.

They also cautioned against what they described as unnecessary political disagreements playing out in the media, urging all parties to maintain civility and focus on development-driven discourse.

Leading the discussion, former presidential aide, Okoi Ofem Obono-Obla, said it was appropriate for political leaders who have served multiple terms to consider stepping aside for others, in the interest of equity and inclusiveness.

According to him, Senator Eteng Williams, who represents the Central Senatorial District, has spent several years in elective offices at both the state and federal levels, and the zone should be open to alternative leadership choices.

Obono-Obla called on political leaders from Yakurr and across the district to engage in open dialogue about succession and representation, stressing that leadership should reflect the evolving aspirations of the people.

He added that political offices are temporary and should not be viewed as exclusive entitlements, urging party members to approach future primaries competitively and peacefully.

Other speakers at the forum expressed dissatisfaction with what they described as limited visible federal projects in the district, arguing that constituents expect more impactful interventions from their representatives. They, however, framed their remarks as personal opinions on performance and expectations from public office holders.

One participant noted that the role of a senator includes attracting development projects and policies that directly benefit communities, adding that constituents are entitled to assess representation based on outcomes they consider meaningful.

Meanwhile, Comrade Dan Oba, Special Adviser to the Cross River State Governor on Youth Mobilisation, urged political actors to conduct engagements responsibly and avoid actions that could distract from youth development and party cohesion.

He encouraged young people in the district to remain focused on constructive political participation and to critically evaluate issues based on facts, programmes, and long-term development goals.

The engagement ended with calls for unity, issue-based politics, and peaceful political competition as the state moves closer to the 2027 elections.