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| Hon. [Pst] John Ewa Former Chairman of Boki Local Government Council |
As political momentum gradually builds ahead of the 2027 general elections, former Chairman of Boki Local Government Area, Hon. (Pastor) John Ewa, has set his sights on representing Boki II Constituency in the Cross River State House of Assembly.
His ambition, however, brings his time in office back into focus, raising important questions about performance, delivery, and accountability.
At Boki Blog Africa, we believe public office holders must be assessed not by promises made, but by results delivered. And in the case of Hon. John Ewa, his tenure presents a record that is both notable in some areas and deeply lacking in others.
Peace and Security: A Defining Achievement
When Hon. Ewa assumed office in 2020, Boki was facing serious security challenges. Cult-related violence, communal clashes, and youth unrest had created instability across several communities.
His administration made peacebuilding a central focus. Through sustained engagement with traditional rulers, youth groups, and community stakeholders, the council initiated reconciliation efforts aimed at restoring calm.
These interventions led to a noticeable reduction in violent conflicts in many parts of the local government. Communities that had experienced repeated tensions began to witness relative stability.
This remains the most visible and widely acknowledged achievement of his administration. For many residents, the restoration of peace provided breathing space and a sense of safety that had been lacking.
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| Hon (Pst) John Ewa, presenting 2021 budget of N4,911,527,480.00, to Boki Legislative Council. The budget was tagged: Budget of Reconciliation and Restoration. |
Agriculture: A Core Promise That Fell Short
Despite gains in security, the administration struggled in delivering on one of its most important campaign promises; agriculture.
Boki is widely regarded as an agrarian region, and agriculture was consistently presented by Hon. Ewa as the backbone of his development agenda. From campaign messaging to public speeches, including remarks associated with the Banjuare Boki Festival, he emphasized agriculture as the pathway to economic growth and prosperity.
Expectations were high. Many believed his administration would introduce structured support for farmers, improve value chains, and position Boki as a stronger agricultural hub.
However, nearly three years into office, there was little evidence of:
- Any large-scale agricultural transformation programme
- Sustained government-backed support for farmers
- Investment in processing, storage, or market expansion systems
Farming activities across the local government largely remained at subsistence level, with no significant shift toward modernization or increased productivity driven by policy.
Given how central agriculture was to his campaign message, the gap between promise and outcome is difficult to ignore.
Illegal Logging: Policy Without Enforcement
Another critical area where the administration fell short was in addressing illegal logging.
Boki is home to valuable forest resources, making environmental protection a major responsibility of local leadership. During his tenure, Hon. Ewa publicly condemned illegal logging and issued warnings aimed at curbing the activity.
However, on-ground realities showed little change. Illegal logging continued across several communities, with no sustained enforcement framework or visible long-term strategy to tackle the problem.
The absence of effective action not only undermined environmental protection efforts but also allowed the continued depletion of forest resources that many communities depend on.
In this regard, the administration’s position remained largely declarative, without the enforcement strength required to produce meaningful results.
Development and Infrastructure: Limited Impact
Beyond peace and policy statements, expectations also extended to physical development and infrastructure.
The administration introduced ideas around:
- Urban development of key towns such as Okundi
- Improvement of markets and local economic centers
However, these plans did not translate into widely visible or impactful projects across the local government. Many initiatives either remained incomplete, limited in scope, or not clearly felt by the broader population.
This has contributed to a growing perception that while the administration communicated development intentions, execution did not match expectations.
A Mixed Record as 2027 Approaches
As Hon. John Ewa now positions himself for the Boki II Assembly seat, his record as chairman is likely to play a central role in shaping public opinion.
On one hand, his administration is credited with restoring relative peace in a previously volatile environment, an achievement that holds real value.
On the other hand, key areas that directly affect livelihoods, particularly agriculture, environmental protection, and broader development—did not experience the level of transformation that was promised.
The Decision Before Boki II
With 2027 on the horizon, constituents are faced with a fundamental question:
Should peace alone be enough to justify a move to higher office?
For voters, the conversation is no longer about intentions or rhetoric, but about measurable impact.
Hon. John Ewa’s aspiration is legitimate within a democratic system. However, it also invites scrutiny—because leadership at any level must be built on a foundation of performance, not projection.
Conclusion
Hon. John Ewa’s tenure as Boki Local Government Chairman reflects a leadership that succeeded in stabilizing security but fell short in delivering key economic and environmental promises.
As he seeks to represent Boki II Constituency, the responsibility now shifts to the people—to assess, to question, and ultimately, to decide.
Because in the end, governance is not judged by what was intended, but by what was actually achieved.
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