By Asuquo Cletus
Eleven aggrieved members of the Cross River State House of Assembly have raised concerns over the All Progressives Congress’ ticket arrangements ahead of the forthcoming elections, prompting a reconciliation meeting with leaders of the Relax Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria movement.
The lawmakers, led by the Majority Leader of the House, Rt. Hon. Francis Asuquo, reportedly expressed support for President Bola Tinubu but expressed reservations about extending the same level of political support to other APC candidates in the state, including Governor Bassey Otu.
Their grievances were said to be connected to their exclusion from the party’s ticket arrangements, with some seeking a third term and others hoping to secure a second term in the Assembly.
The delegation visited the national office of Relax Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria, where they met the movement’s National Director of Strategic Deployment and Implementation, Hon. Innocent Egede.
Egede, who supports the re-election of Tinubu and Otu, appealed to the lawmakers to reconsider their position and work collectively for all APC candidates in the state.
He stressed the need for party unity, strategic coordination and electoral cooperation, warning that internal divisions could weaken the party’s performance in the forthcoming elections and affect the President’s electoral fortunes in Cross River State.
Egede also reiterated the movement’s target of securing 600,000 votes for Tinubu in the state, noting that achieving the goal would require a united political structure and effective grassroots mobilisation.
Following the meeting, Egede led the lawmakers to meet the Director-General of the movement, Hon. Bala Ahmed, who also urged them to reconsider their position and remain aligned with the APC’s broader electoral objectives.
Ahmed reportedly pledged to integrate the lawmakers into the operational structure of the movement’s national organisation, subject to the directive of its chief founder, Barr. Seyi Tinubu.
The intervention is aimed at addressing the lawmakers’ grievances, reconciling aggrieved party stakeholders and strengthening the APC’s political structure ahead of the elections.
Other members of the delegation included the Deputy Leader of the House, Rt. Hon. Dr. Davies Etta, representing Abi State Constituency; Hon. Egbe Abeng Egbe, Obubra II; Hon. Ovat Dickson Agbor, Obubra I; and Hon. Ashakia Puis Ashaks, Obanliku.
Others were Hon. Victor Nsa, Calabar South II; Hon. Bassey Effiong Bassey, Akpabuyo; Hon. Eyo Bassey, Bakassi; Hon. Okon Nyong Ewona, Akamkpa I; Hon. Mercy Akpama, Yakurr II; and Hon. Kingsley Ntui, Etung.
