. .Pulls to be decided on the strength of party popularity 

By Cyril Ogar 

The seat for the member representing Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives was vacant since Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe was elevated to the Senate of the 9th Assembly. Many had indicated interest in the position but one candidate had been on the top list.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, subsequently slated the bye-election for the Ogoja /Yala House of Representatives vacant position for February 26, 2022, the same date with the National Convention of the All Progressives Congress, APC before it was postponed.

Stating that the election is an important one may be an understatement because the fate of the two major political parties, the APC and the People’s  Democratic Party, PDP, and their major political gladiators in the area hang on the outcome of that contest.

The candidature of Hon. Mike Usibe (Former Chairman of Yala LGA and also former Commissioner for New Cities Development) Standout.

Over the years Usibe has distinguished himself from others by empowering the youths. He has supported several women in the agricultural sector and has sponsored lots of youths through Education.

Hon Mike Usibe is a purpose-driven leader who is ready to rescue his people by providing more employment, projects, building infrastructure, and rendering services to them.

This explains his wide acceptability.One major reason Usibe is said to be more ahead of other aspirants is the fact that, since the inception of Democracy to the present 9th Assembly, Yala ll State Constituency, which is one of the six State Constituencies that constitute the Northern part of Cross River State, has never in history produced a Federal Legislator, Yet have remained patient and always following due process.

A peep into Bon. Mike Ede Usibe’s background shows that he has carved a niche for himself, garnered experience in the political space of Cross River State. Hon Mike Usibe ventured into politics after meritoriously serving the state with an indented retirement record, and was persuaded to contest the Chairmanship election in 2010 given his pedigree and track record in civil service and private life.

Despite disabling the Local Councils administration by state governors, the Ukelle born technocrate turned politician still wrote his name in gold with live touching and changing policies and programs that left indelible prints in the annals of Local Government Administration in Yala LGA.Still in the public service, one time Director of Finance(DFS) in Ikom LGA, was appointed a Commissioner of New Cities Development.

As one who has perchant for good leadership and provision of service to the people, his tenure was short-lived, as he honorably resigned the highly exalted position, in other serve his people in other capacities order than been a Commissioner.

Hon Usibe understands the workings of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its potential to transform the lives of the people and this puts him ahead of other contenders for the exalted position of Member of the House of Representatives, representing Ogoja/Yale Federal constituency. 

A careful study and research of the challenges facing the constituency, he has identified the problems and proffers “HOW” to solved the problem. One key Fundamental theorem in his manifesto is centred on infrastructural development and SDGs.

According to him, the people of the constituency and Northern Cross River generally are known to be hard working, in spite of the enormous challenges they face on a daily basis, yet never cease to be productive. The current state of infrastructures to support productivity and development are aged, degraded and non-existence.

It is a generally accepted saying that infrastructural developments remain the key to solving economic challenges of which its lack has greatly affected our growth. He is an entrepreneur and seasoned businessman, with success story.

He is dependable, tested, trusted sagacious, and capable to lead  Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency at the green Chambers where he will bring his wealth of expertise and experience to bear in attracting developmental dividends to the Constituency.

Meanwhile Senator Ben Ayade, the governor of the state, is serving his second term, was elected on the platform of the PDP but he defected to the APC on May 20, 2021 following alleged injustices meted out to him by the leadership of the PDP.

His defection heralded the defection of most of his political acolytes such as commissioners, special advisers, federal and state assembly members, council chairmen and a large percentage of PDP members across the state, who joined him in his new political sojourn.

The two political parties, APC and PDP which are the only ones in the race have picked their standard-bearers: Jude Ngaji emerged for the APC via consensus while PDP chose Mike Usibe through a primary election.  

The flag bearers and their parties would soon go round the 24 wards of the federal constituency to sell their manifestos to the electorate in readiness for the election coming up in the next two days.

As both the PDP and APC are warm up for another titanic battle for the seat, with APC’s three National Assembly members from the state which is in minority compared to PDP seven. it’s clear as crystal that the PDP is not be a pushover in the election nor in 2023.Besides, a lot of people in APC today are APC in the mouth but PDP at heart.

Ostensibly, the APC has embodied the PDP by fielding a wrong candidate that has given the opposition party an edge or identify someone with acceptability that can win the election to strengthen its ranks and files ahead of 2023.

Without prejudice, sentiment, self-interest, and emotions, Hon. Mike Usibe remains the best and the candidate to beat in the Bye-election come 26th February 2022.

Therefore there is need for every son and daughter of Ogoja/Yala Federal constituency, both at home and in diaspora, to come to terms and support Hon. Mike Usibe for competent and effective representation, get involved in the political process to ensure that the best, popular and capable candidate emerges to drive a new narrative for the Constituency.

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