The contest for the Ikom/Boki Federal House of Representatives seat ahead of the 2027 general elections is gathering pace, with Prince Joseph Bessong Enu formally declaring his intention to run under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In his declaration message, Enu presented his ambition as a response to growing calls from constituents for purposeful, inclusive, and people-centered representation. Anchoring his campaign on the theme “The Beacon of Hope,” he pledged to focus on effective legislation, youth empowerment, and development-driven representation for the constituency.
His entry into the race, however, comes amid intensifying conversations around equity and fair political zoning within the Ikom/Boki Federal Constituency.
Across several communities, stakeholders and constituents are increasingly voicing concerns over what they describe as an imbalance in the distribution of the House of Representatives seat between Boki Constituency I and Boki Constituency II.
Many argue that for the sake of fairness and political stability, the seat should return to Boki Constituency I in 2027. Their position is largely based on recent and historical representation patterns.
According to local sentiment, Hon. Eddy Ogon from Boki Constituency I held the seat for just one term of four years, while Boki Constituency II has enjoyed a significantly longer period of representation. Constituents point to the tenure of Hon. Oshita Oshita, alongside extended political influence linked to leadership figures such as Matthew Mbu Jnr, whose time in the Senate further strengthened the zone’s political dominance.
When combined, many argue that Boki Constituency II has effectively controlled federal legislative representation for over 12 to 16 years or more, compared to the relatively short four-year stint of Boki Constituency I.
“This is not just about politics; it is about fairness,” a community stakeholder noted. “One side cannot continue to dominate representation while the other remains limited to a single term.”
The equity argument is quickly becoming a defining issue ahead of the 2027 elections, with growing calls for political parties, leaders, and aspirants to respect an informal zoning understanding that promotes balance across the constituency.
While Prince Joseph Bessong Enu has not directly framed his ambition around the zoning debate, his emergence is already being interpreted in some quarters as aligning with the broader push for power rotation.
Political observers note that as more aspirants declare, the issue of equity between Boki I and Boki II will likely shape alliances, party decisions, and voter sentiment in the months ahead.
With the race still in its early stages, Enu’s declaration signals the beginning of what is expected to be a highly engaging and competitive contest—one that will not only be about candidates, but also about fairness, representation, and the future political balance of Ikom/Boki Federal Constituency.
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