Stalwarts of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ikom II State Constituency, Cross River State, have called on the party's State Working Committee to reject any third-term bid for the State House of Assembly seat currently held by Speaker Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem. The party faithful, armed with placards, stormed the state party secretariat in Calabar to present their position, citing a gentlemen's agreement among the four wards that make up Ikom II.
Background of the Zoning Agreement
According to the stalwarts, a 2003 agreement stipulates that any sitting Assembly member from Ikom II should serve only two terms, allowing all four wards—Abanyom, Nde, Nnam, and Nta-Nselle—to take turns. Speaking on behalf of the group, State Commissioner for Human Capital and Entrepreneurial Development, Hon. Kingsley Egumi, explained that the rotational zoning has been in place since 2003.
“Abanyom and Nta-Nselle wards have each produced two members—Hon. Joseph Nsabe Ndoma and Simon Nkoro—who both served two terms between 2003 and 2019,” Egumi said. “Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem of Nde ward assumed office in 2019 and is currently serving his second term in line with the agreement. It is on that note that we are saying that in 2027, the Assembly seat should move from Nde to Nnam ward, which should also serve its two terms like the others.”
Call to Uphold the Zoning Formula
Egumi warned that any deviation from the agreement, which has brought stability, equality, and unity, would lead to voter apathy and disrupt the zoning arrangement. Former Ikom Local Government Council Chairman and APC stalwart Dr. Tony Ngban echoed this sentiment, stressing that the zoning formula since 2003 has fostered peaceful coexistence. He argued that any alteration should only occur after Nnam ward completes its two terms of eight years.
“This is the position of the stakeholders in Constituency II,” Ngban added.
Party's Response
Responding to the delegation, State Party Chairman Hon. Chris Etta assured them that the State Working Committee had heard their appeal and would consider the matter to reach a resolution favourable to the party. Etta emphasised that the committee takes zoning seriously and would also work with the report of the Central Senatorial District Screening Committee.
