The Central Youths for Good Governance Group has rejected the recent political endorsement by stakeholders under the Ikom-Boki-Obubra-Etung (IBOE) Alliance.
The decision was made on wednesday, september 30, while declaring its total support for the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) senatorial candidate for Cross River Central, Rt. Hon. Bassey Eko Ewa.
The group said the decision to support Eko Ewa is based on what it described as the need for experienced and effective representation for the people of Cross River Central ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The IBOE political gathering in Etung on September 29 saw stakeholders endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Bassey Otu and other APC candidates.
But reacting to the development, Coordinator of the Central Youths for Good Governance Group, Joshua Amanke, said the endorsement does not represent the position of all the people of the senatorial district.
According to Amanke, Cross River Central remains a major commercial and economic hub of the state, with areas such as Ikom, Boki and Etung contributing significantly to the state's economy, yet many communities in the district continue to face serious development challenges.
He questioned why a district that contributes so much to the state's economy should continue to struggle with inadequate infrastructure and other basic development needs.
Amanke said the youths believe Eko Ewa has the experience required to change the situation, pointing to his previous service in the Cross River State House of Assembly and the National Assembly.
He said Eko Ewa understands the workings of government and would be able to properly present the challenges of Cross River Central at the Senate, while pushing for projects, investment and development opportunities for the people.
The group coordinator also criticised what he described as the continued attempt by APC stakeholders to seek the support of the people despite what he called poor performance at the national and state levels.
Amanke said the youths should not be expected to simply follow political endorsements from established stakeholders without looking at the condition of their communities and the records of the people seeking their votes.
“Those who failed Cross River Central cannot decide for us,” the group said, insisting that the people, particularly the youths, have the right to make their own political choices.
Also speaking, a member of the group, Cecilia Bojuo, said Eko Ewa has a track record of excellence dating back to his time in the House of Representatives, where she said he performed strongly while representing Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency.
Bojuo also took exception to the IBOE endorsement, saying that those who, in the group's view, contributed to the problems facing the Central Senatorial District should not be the ones deciding who the people should support.
She said the youths have already made their position known and are backing Eko Ewa for the Cross River Central senatorial seat.
The Central Youths for Good Governance Group said its position is not simply about party politics but about what it described as the search for competent representation capable of attracting development and investment to the senatorial district.
The group called on voters across Abi, Boki, Etung, Ikom, Obubra and Yakurr to examine the records, experience and plans of all the candidates before making their decisions at the polls.
The IBOE stakeholders, meanwhile, have maintained their support for the APC candidates and said their mobilisation is aimed at securing electoral victories for the party across the four local government areas covered by the alliance.
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