AUTOMATIC TICKET FOR ONLY THE GOVERNOR AND DEPUTY | A DELIBERATE PLOT TO HEAT THE POLITY.

By Comrade Mfam Mbia Asu(CIFIAN)

This morning, I read on print media and several social media platforms of the decision of the Cross River State Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to give automatic ticket to only His Excellency, Governor Bassey Otu and his Deputy, Hon. Peter Odey.

First and foremost, I will like to remind us that everything on earth is transient(including our life). None of us can guarantee being alive during the 2027 general elections, thus we should not arrogate to ourselves the power of God in the affairs of men. In line with the scripture, we are made to understand that power comes from God.

To members of the APC State Executive Committee, I wish to remind them that their tenure ends in October, 2025 and some of them will not return back to the State Executive Committee of the Party to have the opportunity to decide who gets what ahead of 2027.

In as much as I sincerely commend the fantastic job of the Governor and his Deputy, I condemn in strong terms the decision of some few people who are not even sure of returning back to the State Exco this year to play a mind game on the Governor to ensure that they are all returned as APC State Executive Committee members in this year's State Congress.

If this is not a clear case of mischief, aggrandizement and ulterior motive, why excluding other elected public office holders under the platform of the Party from getting automatic ticket?

There is an adage that says that "He who goes to equity must go with clean hands". Thus, if at all the Leadership of the Party in the State has the powers to give automatic ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections, they should extend the automatic ticket decision to all first timers in the National Assembly and State Assembly.

My position remains that in democracy everyone has a right to vote and be voted for in as much as the person is constitutionally qualified. Without disregarding the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), I think it will be fair and reasonable for the Party to give first timers opportunity of first refusal before throwing the tickets open.

It is an open secret that most of our National Assembly members have performed beyond our expectations and we all know that the reward for hard work is more work. Please, let's give them more work by returning them back to the National Assembly.

Happy new month friends and enemies.