2019 : APC elders back C'River north to retain guber ticket

Stakeholders and elders of the All Progressives Congress, APC from the northern senatorial district of Cross River State have said that in line with the zoning formula of the party, the 2019 governorship ticket must remain in the north.

The resolution was contained in a five point communiqué issued at the end of the northern APC stakeholders meeting held yesterday in Ogoja.

The APC leaders argued that the governorship ticket of the party is still domiciled in the north as the party is operating eight years zoning formula which has been used to filled positions from national to ward levels.

"The Cross River North All Progressive Congress (APC) acknowledges that, the APC is a fair and just Party. That, they acknowledge that there is an existing zoning structure within the nation, state and other components of the country that has led to the relative growth and success of APC in the State and Country, generally.

"That, the Cross River North All Progressive Congress (APC) expresses faith in the collective existence of various components of the State in the light of Justice, Fairness and Equity.

"That, Cross River State, being a component of this stability and growth of the Party, Cross River North All Progressive Congress (APC) expect and anticipate that other parts of the State should respect the existing zoning template"

"Therefore, we insist that the governorship of Cross River State in relation to 2019 elections is still domiciled in Cross River North as it was in 2015, which is within the eight (8) years zoning formula, as has been evidenced by all positions thus filled at both National, State and Local Levels. Example: Presidency in the North-West, National Chairman of the Party remains in South-South, Edo State to be specific, National Vice Chairman South-South remains with the Cross River South Senatorial District and Cross River State Chairman in the same spirit, remains in Cross River Central Senatorial District. This is in line with the 2018 Congresses NEC guidelines

"In the light of the foregoing, Cross River North All Progressive Congress (APC) is constrained and indeed, insist that the governorship of Cross River State remains in the Northern Senatorial District of the State"the communiqué reads.

The communiqué was signed by the five chapter Chairmen of the party from the north, 2015 governorship candidate of APC, Mr. Odey Ochicha, Deputy State Chairman of the party, Sir John Ochalla, Vice Chairman (north), Dr. Valentine Enjei, Wabily Nyaim, member, Board of Trustees, two times House of Representatives member, Rt. Hon. Paul Adah, former Reps Member, Dr. Mike Ogar, John Upan Odey and over 100 others.

It will be recalled that in 2014, the APC zoned the governorship ticket of the party to the northern senatorial district which was the only zone at the time to produce a Governor.

Ochicha who was the APC candidate in the election came second to the incumbent Governor Ben Ayade of PDP who is also from the north.