Members of The OBIdient Movement (TOM) in Cross River State have raised concerns over the upcoming governorship primaries of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), alleging a lack of transparency and deliberate attempts to undermine the state’s established zoning arrangement.
Speaking during a press briefing in Calabar on Friday, Kinie Bassey Willie, speaking on behalf of the group, said the movement felt compelled to alert both the party’s national leadership and the public to what it described as troubling developments ahead of the primaries.
The group alleged that the existing zoning arrangement, which favors the Southern Senatorial District for the governorship ticket, was being disregarded by the party leadership. According to the group, a governorship aspirant from the Northern Senatorial District was being allowed to contest despite the rotational arrangement that has been in place since 1999.
“The zoning agreement in favor of the Southern Senatorial District concerning the governorship candidate is being maligned by the party leadership,” the group stated.
TOM further alleged that there was little transparency in the build-up to the primaries, claiming that several aspirants and members of the movement were being sidelined in the process. The group said communication from the party secretariat had been inadequate, leaving members to rely largely on rumors and speculations regarding the conduct of the primaries.
It alleged that the situation had created suspicion among members that secret primaries were being planned without the knowledge of party voters and aspirants.
The movement also expressed dissatisfaction with a national delegation it reportedly met on Thursday, accusing the committee of lacking neutrality. According to the group, the delegation appeared to have a predetermined agenda that was not in the overall interest of the party and its presidential candidate.
“The committee appears to have a set opinion and, from their conduct, they seem to have a preset agenda, which leaves much to be desired,” the statement added.
The group warned that the developments had created doubts among party members and could negatively affect the fortunes of the party in the state if not urgently addressed. It therefore called on the national leadership of the party to take immediate steps to ensure fairness, transparency, and strict adherence to the zoning arrangement.
The statement was jointly signed by Obonganwan Barbara Etim James, Hon. Engr. Bassey Ekefre, Kinie Bassey Willie, Chief Ray Ugba Morphy, Ngozi Ehenda, and Goodnews Umoh on behalf of The OBIdient Movement, Cross River State.
