Group raises alarm as irregularities reportedly mar NDC primaries
The OBIdient Movement (TOM) in Cross River has raised concerns over alleged irregularities surrounding the governorship primaries of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), accusing the party leadership of undermining the state’s long-standing zoning arrangement and operating without transparency.
In a press statement issued on Friday in Calabar, the group alleged that the zoning agreement favouring the Southern Senatorial District for the governorship ticket was being compromised by party leaders.
According to the statement, a governorship aspirant from the Northern Senatorial District was allegedly being allowed to contest against the existing zoning and rotational arrangement that has guided the state’s political structure since 1999.
“The zoning agreement in favour of the Southern Senatorial District as concerns the governorship candidate is being maligned by the party leadership,” the group stated.
The movement further accused the party secretariat of failing to maintain transparency ahead of the forthcoming primaries, claiming that aspirants and members of the Obidient Movement were being sidelined in the process.
The group lamented what it described as a lack of communication from party officials, saying most stakeholders were relying on rumours and third-party information regarding preparations for the primaries.
“There is zero communication from the party secretariat, and we seem to just be acting on rumours and third-party speculations,” the statement read.
The group alleged that the situation had fuelled suspicions that “secret primaries” were being conducted without the knowledge of party members, delegates, and aspirants.
TOM also expressed dissatisfaction with a national delegation that recently visited the state, accusing the committee of bias and failing to act in the best interest of the party and its presidential candidate.
According to the group, members of the delegation appeared to have a predetermined agenda during their engagement with stakeholders.
“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 movement warned that the alleged irregularities and perceived lack of fairness in the process could deepen distrust among party members and negatively affect the fortunes of the party in Cross River State ahead of future elections.
The group said the press statement was intended to draw the attention of the national leadership of the party, members of the Obidient Movement, and the general public to the situation for necessary intervention.
The statement was jointly signed by Obonganwan Barbara Etim James, Hon. Engr. Bassey Ekefre, Kinie Bassey Willie, Chief Ray Ugba Morphy, Ngozi Ehendu, and Goodnews Umoh on behalf of The Obidient Movement, Cross River State.
Efforts to obtain an official response from the leadership of the National Democratic Congress in the state were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
