Cross River Politicians Trade Barbs as Local Elections Loom
A brewing political storm has erupted in Cross River State, Nigeria, as a stalwart of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Peter Inyali, has challenged the chairman of the African Action Congress (AAC), Mr. Agba Jalingo, to field candidates in the upcoming local government elections.
Inyali, who is also the national president of Cross River State University Alumni Association, believes that Jalingo has been criticizing and setting a benchmark for local government chairmen, particularly in Obudu Local Government Area, where both hail from, without taking action himself. He has called on Jalingo to produce candidates for the polls instead of constantly criticizing others.
“Instead of setting agenda for others, let AAC and Agba Jalingo produce candidates like other parties and let people decide who they want,” Inyali said in a statement issued in Calabar.
Jalingo, a civil rights activist and journalist, has fired back, vowing to keep local government chairmen in check to prevent them from mismanaging public funds. He has expressed concern that some chairmen might try to squander funds meant for the development of their local governments if they are not held accountable.
“We will track all income to the local government from Abuja. All that information is available from the Federal Budget Office and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation,” Jalingo said. “We will officially write under the Freedom of Information law and demand for details of monthly FAAC allocations, monthly Internally Generated Revenue, and record of expenditure.”
The feud between Inyali and Jalingo has sparked heated debates among politicians and citizens in Cross River State, with many calling for greater transparency and accountability in local governance. The upcoming local government elections are seen as a crucial test for both parties, with the APC seeking to retain its grip on power and the AAC aiming to make its mark in the state’s political landscape.
