House of Reps: The Likely Chances of Boki LGA - By George Odok

As the build up to the 2019 general elections thicken, one is left to wonder how strategically positioned Boki LGA is in securing a seat at the National Assembly.

Currently, a number of aspirants have declared their intentions to seek election for the slot of Ikom/Boki Federal Constituency in the National Assembly.




This clarion move by the aspirants have left a huge vacuum in "who decides what", "what should be done" and "what Boki should get" in the remaining few months of the first tenure of Governor Ben Ayade led administration.

Key officers of the Cross River State Government from Boki, who heads strategic positions have all resigned and indicated interest to contest for the same slot of Ikom/Boki Federal Constituency.

The aspirants are: Barr. Tina Agbor, the immediate past Secretary to the State Government, Dr George Abang Ekpungu, immediate past Commissioner for New Cities Development, Engr. Dane Osim-Asu, immediate past Commissioner for Works.
Dr Asu Yakubu Shendam, Special Adviser,  and Mr Feddy Ncha, a Board Director.

It is a welcome development that Boki local government area should have a representative at the National Assembly in 2019.




BOKI CHANCES

First, all the aspirants are very qualified, having held key government offices and displayed maturity in governance.

Secondly, for Boki to clinch the ticket at the primaries, the aspirants must come together, brainstorm, dialogue and produce a consensus candidate that would match the Ikom front money for money, popularity for popularity, contacts for contacts, connections for connections and crowd for crowd.

Thirdly, Boki has a higher voting strength than Ikom, hence, aspirants from Boki should eschew self interest and present one candidates that would have all the delegates from Boki on his/her side, and possibly, lobby to get a few from Ikom.




Fourthly, If the aspirants fail to agree on a consensus, they would practically go into the primaries with staggered divided votes because all of them may be scheming to deep their pockets lower to buy many delegates to their side.

Fifth: We must not forget that aspirants from Boki are running against an incumbent who have collected huge salaries and constituency allowances for over 25 months, hence the need for unity of purpose to fill in an acceptable aspirant from Boki. At this point, Boki is not running against Ikom, but desiring to effect a change in representation from what is observed now.

FAILURE

• If over six aspirants from Boki goes into the race, there are likely chances of them paving the way for an aspirant from the Ikom axis to emerge victorious.
• Also, the APC factor; At this point where the APC government is working tirelessly in winning major seats in 2019, the PDP must not undermine their strength in Cross River State. An aspirant of the APC has also emerged from Ikom and the Boki axis for the same slot.
• Blackmail: As the aspirants goes to the field in search of delegates and consultations, they must eschew all forms of blackmail against their opponents within the Boki family, because this would further build an in-house fighting among them.

To win an incumbent, the house must be united, hence, he will consolidate on the fight from the Boki axis, pick the scrum and grab the whole of Ikom to his side.




ANNOINTING

As it is the case, a majority of aides seeking election always want to be annointed by their bosses; in this case, has Governor Ayade annointed his very key aides from Boki LGA to slug it out among themselves in the field for the same position?

Will they agree among themselves to weigh their support behind one person irrespective of their interests, knowing vividly that the victory of one person is the victory of the generality of Ikom/Boki Federal Constituency?

At this point, Ikom, Etung and  Yakurr are looking for Senate, Abi and Obubra are looking for Houses of Representatives and for Boki to get the slot of the Federal House, the Arsenal must be united.

The moment is thick, the d-day is fast approaching and time will tell who the people want. But,  For now; let's closely watch the game and see how events unfold.

I wish all the aspirants 100 per cent success and a beautiful outing.