Politics

Cross River State Youths to host 30,000 man summit in Calabar ahead of 2023, thanks Governor Ayade for keeping faith with them

Published

2 years ago

May 15, 2024

Cross River State Youths under the aegis of APC Youth Lobby Group have celebrated Governor Ben Ayade for uplifting young people in leadership position by insisting the time for youths to play more active role in Cross River State has come.

This was made known by the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the youth summit, Mr. Oden Ewa while addressing the press on Wednesday in Calabar on the Youths summit slated for 19 February 2022. This according to him is to celebrate the good gesture Governor Ben Ayade has demonstrated towards youth inclusiveness in the state.

Mr. Ewa stated that the state APC youth lobby group inaugurated in Cross River State two weeks ago is meant to promote youth inclusiveness in governance.

According to him “he has the mandate to organise over 30,000 mega summit at U. J. Esuene stadium. Thereafter, the group will go for door-to-door advocacy with elders to solicit for more inclusion of youths in governance.”

He thanked Governor Ben Ayade for running a youth inclusive government stating that “Participants for this summit will be drawn from all the 196 wards in Cross River State.” He also thanked the Cross River State Executives of the APC led by Barr. Alphonsus Ogar Eba.

Mr. Oden further stated that the committee intends to mobilise youths across the state to key into the APC agenda adding that “It will be a carnival of some sort meant to galvanise support across the state on the mandate of the APC. We have put together a good structure meant to coordinate the 196 wards of Cross River State. Modalities are already in place and we are using innovation to achieve our goal.”

Also speaking, Mr. Francis Ekpo, Special Adviser Ranch Resort to the governor said “This is the only state that you have a lot of youths in government and these youths have all it takes to sustain the legacy of the present administration.”

The Spevial Adviser Tourism, Ubi Franklin said the summit is meant to showcase what the youths have done in the state. He added that “The future is for the young people and the young people have shown capacity when given the chance”

The DG, CRISSA, Mr. Effiom Effiwatt in his remarks stated that “This is a very bold attempt for young people in Cross River State to showcase that we are ready and also give opportunity for other youths who want to be part of the government to come together and make a bold statement that we are ready and come 2023, young people will be heard.”

Also speaking, DG Cross River State Primary Health Agency, Dr. Janet Ekpenyong said “The summit is to appreciate the governor who has been very friendly with youths and women in his government. It is also to encourage more support for the youths to be given opportunity to take up leadership positions in the state. We expect to see all youths because it is time to get involved.”

On his part, Prince Michael Abuo, the DG Migration said “The APC is an idealogy that is geared towards promoting youth participation in governance. There is need for crowdfunding for a youth endowment funds meant to support the aspirations of young people.”

The summit is being put together by youths in governance as well as others from all works of life. Speakers will be drawn from leaders and young people who have impacted positively in the state over the years. They will be drawn from Politics, Entertainment, Business, Education amongst others.

The summit is billed to hold at the UJ Esuene stadium calabar on the 19th of February.

CROSS RIVER STATE YOUTH SUMMIT LOCAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE MEMBERS

1. Oden Ewa
2. Edem Bassey
3. Ted Afu Inyang
4. Ubi Franklin
5. Andrew Ekpenyong
6. Thomas Ikpeme
7. Martha Agba
8. Eric Anderson
9. Asuquo Ekpenyong
10. Chris Ezo
11. Ugochukwu Nwanosike
12. Mfon Bassey
13. Oliver Orok
14. Saviour Nyong
15. Peter Egba
16 Betta Edu
17. Mathias Angioha
18. Goddy Nyiam
19 Joseph Lashakara Edet
20. Ekanem Ekpenyong
21. Tete Mbuk
22. Utsu John Atsu
23. Offiong Onoyom
24. Stanley Nsemo
25. Janet Ekpenyong
26. Eyo Ita Okon
27. Marcel Edet
28. Micheal Nku Abuo
29. Dan Obo
30. Pastor Thomas Okon
31. Akpanke Ogar
32. Effiom Effiwatt
33. Boyo Nduonofit
34. William Archibong
35. Charles Ojiji
36. David Oyo Ita
37. Paul Eze
38. Stanley Boyce Nsemo
39. Rt. Hon. Farathor Robinson Riman
40. Hon. Linus Etim Bassey
41. Hon. Emmanuel Offiong Bassey
42. Hon. Iyadim Amboni Iyadim
43. Dr. Josephate Owan Emeka
44. Hon. Ada Charles Egwu
45. Hon. Pastor John Ewa
46. Hon. Effeffiong Nta Eke
47. Hon. Mrs. Esther Bassey
48. Hon. John Nkum Etuk
49. Hon. Kingsley Egumi
50. Hon. Mrs. Margaret Indie
51. Hon. Bassey Agara Tom
52. Hon. Bonny Ewhe Eraye
53. Hon. Mrs Justina Edem
54. Hon. Emmanuel Ishabor
55. Hon. Ofem Ebri Obeten
56. Hon. Barr. Fabian Odey Ogbeche
57. Boni Ishamali
58. Ekpo Ephraim Adam
59. Charles Ekanem
60. Kelvin Nyong
61. Edem Anam
62. Gerald Esin
63. Otu Marshal
64. Mizam Arikpo
65. Henry Ekpenyong
66. Henry Ublibli
67. Raphael Ntui
68. Lebo Lebo
69. Akpa Paul okwori
70. Wonah Patrick Onah
71. Vicrine Wohu
72. Akpa Monday
73. Ebiala Monday
74. SaintAugustine Adula Odey
75. Ube Sunday Oyilichi
76. Vincent Onyejowo Ogbo
77. Ogoji Joseph Ulafor
78. Onyekwu Friday
79. Ijom Ukam
80. Lukpata Sunday
81. Abing Chukwu Iza
82. Monday O. Igiri
83. Paul Ntol
84. Agbor Williams
85. Anthony Mgbe
86. Osim Osim Ogonyi
87. Victor Etta Enim
88. Oyongh Agbor
89. Erim Ogar Ndoma
90. Cletus Agbogha Enya
91. Abang Neji
92. Odima Nenjom
93. Ojie Gagriel Osang
94. Tony Bisong
95. Etta Oyen Etta
96. Pius Tawo Ekpang
97. Emmanuel Akan Takim
98. Maurice Tiku
99. Barr Michael Akam Abang
100. Anthony Ofum
101. Alex Father
102. Okey Edim Sunday
103. Martins Okon
104. Odong Oba
105. Kelvin Ayuha Joseph
106. Efon Okpa Achena
107. Precious Odong
108. Cornelian Ebokpo Oba
109. Elvis Amba Etta Ebuta
110. Egbong Osebi
111. Sylvester Okey
112. Bassey Amba
113. Vincent Enya Ogaga
114. Emg. Festus Atin Assam
115. Ekuri Bitty Tangban
116. Mgbe Asu Takon
117. Mgboki Mgboki
118. Luke Anom
119. Comrade Saviour Mbeh
120. Nkoyo Oqua
121. Fidelis Oboh
122. Effiom Webber
123. Chris Agbo
124. Effiong Ita
125. Emmanuel Mkpanam
126. Ibok Ene
127. Eyo O Eyo
128. Arit Abor
129. Abasi Ekpenyong
130. Eyibio Effiong
131. Otu Ita
132. Inok Ekpenyong
133. Ayi Inyang Ayi
134. Frank Inyang Jr
135. Fekix Ita
136. Hon Ating
137. Jack Ekpenyong
138. Fidelis Bassey Otosi
139. Hon. Eugene Ikanga
140. Okoi Ofem Omini
141. Engr. Bassey Egbe
142. Bar. Obeten Okoi Okoi
143. Mitre Iferi Eyong
144. Cyril Raymond
145. Ofem Eloma Igri
146. Ubi Ojeje Williams
147. Emmanuel Donatus Offer
148. Ilang John Omini
149. Fedinand Ubi Omini
150. Ubi Onun
151. Asido Efa
152. Offiong Honesty
153. Ogah Sunday Ilifu
154. Timothy Ushie
155. Innocent Oshie
156. Egbung Odama
157. Thomas Emoshe Enti
158. Ekunke Christopher Adie
159. Okaba Phillip Ogar
160. Emmanuel Efenji
161. Odma Thomas Odama
162. Odey Bernard Agida
163. Ekeng Beto
164. Asuquo Willy
165. Blessing Bassey
166. Hycent Ukwayi
167. Barry Okang
168. Linus Iti
169. Frank Agim
170. Dekas Ikashi
171. Christopher
172. Hon. Emmanuel Akomaye
173. Isaiah Ochui
174. Gabriel Isorshie
175. Odey Peter Adung
176. Ikwebe Nechus
177. Charles Atara
178. Felix Edet Essien
179. Ajah Obok Egwu
180. Enang Ikpo Obu
181. Egbai Jolly Arikpo
182. Peter Nkanu
183. Ifeyeng Unor Ukam
184. John Afenkefe
185. John Ade
186. Thomas Ashibi
187. Jacob Abunlime
188. Alina Peter
189. Clement Ejikang
190. Livinus Ashitangwo
191. Anna Takus
192. Linus Ukpaka
193. Anakai Johnpaul
194. Emmanuel Ibanga Enya
195. Ekuma Emmanuel Bassey
196. Joy Akpan Edward
197. Joachim Egbor
198. Bassey Ekpo
199. Nkanu Dennis Azogbor
200. Anthony Echeng Isong
201. Trevor Inyang
202. Etta Moses Evans
203. Florence Innocent Ibeze
204. Morphy Michael Uko
205. Sylvester Aruku
206. Prince Phillip Alaga
207. Joseph Monkamp
208. Abang Ogon
209. Mike Nku Abuo
210. Eri John
211. Sunny Achang
212. Steven Egar Ayim
213. Mourdey Ugbiji
214. Cletus Archibong
215. Umo Archiving
216. Essien Okon
217. Edet Okon Edet
218. Albert Ndem
219. Effanga Offiong
220. Effiom Okon Effiong
221. Eric Orok Edem Odo
222. Ededem Archiving
223. Ekpenyong Basset
224. Etim Bassey
225. Offiong Francis
226. Essien Essien Eyo
227. Ephraim Effiom
228. Emmanuel Offiong
229. Effanga David Effiom
230. Okon James Orok
231. Effiong Wilfred Asuquo
232. Offiong Bassey Offiong.
233. Orok ENo Bassey
234. Eyo Otu Ita
235. Edet Ekeng Effiom
236. Offiong Edet Bassey
237. Bernard B. Edet
238. Elvis Okon Enyam
239. Augusta Ita Asuquo
240. Fredrick Ayuk
241. Vivian Nyong Edet
242. Vincent Ndifon
243. Michael Okpo
244. Magdalene Ekpe
245. Ogar L. Ogar
246. John Aqua
247. Lidia Kingsley Ambor
248. Eyo Bassey Edem
249. Victor Effiong
250. Effiong Effiom
251. Asuquo Effiom Effiong
252. Francis Edem
253. Samuel Ekpenyong
254. Godwin Sylvester Edet
255. Hon ita Ekparikpa
256. Mr Daniel Effiom
257. Adie Buddy
258. Linus Obogo
259. Imani Odey
260. Rasheed Olarewaju
261. Eme Offiong
262. Emmanuel Ulayi
263. Hope Obeten
264. Eugene Upah
265. Richard Romanus
266. Egbelo Edward Ntebri
267. Stella Ulakom
268. Nathaniel Otaba
269. Andrea Ekeng Inyang
270. Inyali Peter
271. Kenneth Ere
272. George Odok Jnr
273. Solomon David
274. Daniel Williams (DW Photography)
275. Chidi Onyemaizu
276. Augustine Ogar
277. Victor Ekpo Ita
278. Paul Ndik
279. Mathais Amgbah
280. Effiong Ekpenyong
281. Shnaibu Hussaini
282. Stanley Ntagi
283. Archibong Effefiom
284. Effiong Bassey (Senator)
285. Maurice Offiong
286. Eval Asikong
287. Beatrice Akpala
288. David Peter
289. Akuku Achilles Ugbani
290. Sylvester Ngaji
291. Paul Ndik
292. Daniel Williams
293. Abang Ogon
294. Francis Ekpo
295. Mark Awa
296. Jacqueline Ulam
297. Ekamma Itu
298. Sylvester Oneil
299. Akabom Enobong
300. Solomon Inyang
301. Emmanuel Ayi
302. Great Ogban
303. Jerry Odey
304. Okpebri David
305. Egomo Matthew
306. Egor Egor Enang
307. Dr. Mrs. Archibong
308. Dr. Genevieve Barnaby
309. Dr. Ansa Etcheri
310. Adie Ugbizi
311. Austin Wono
312. Ralph Morphy
313. John Agi
314. Dele Bakare
315. Nicholas Itomin
316 Otu Otu
317 Robert Atabi
318 Joan Akwali
319 David Bassey
320 Okunola Olarenwaju
321 Ben Nkebem
322 Ekwe John

Politics

Electoral Reform: Dino alleges senate’s plot to rig 2027 election

Published

13 hours ago

February 6, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Former lawmaker, Dino Melaye Esq, has raised concerns over the Senate’s reported rejection of the electronic transmission of election results.

The move, according to Melaye, is a clear endorsement of election rigging and an indication of a sinister plan to rig the 2027 elections.

In a statement on Friday, the former lawmaker criticized the Senate’s decision, stating that it undermines the credibility of the electoral process.

The African Democratic Congress, ADC chieftain, also stated that the move opens the door for electoral manipulation and fraud.

He further warned that the rejection of electronic transmission of results is a step backwards for democracy in Nigeria.

Melaye called on lawmakers and citizens to stand up against “this blatant attempt to undermine the will of the people and ensure that future elections are free, fair, and transparent”.

Politics

Electoral Act: Nigerians have every reason to be mad at Senate – Ezekwesili

Published

16 hours ago

February 6, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has said Nigerians have every reason to be mad at the Senate over the ongoing debate on e-transmission of election results.

Ezekwesili made this known on Friday when she featured in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Morning Show’ monitored by DAILY POST.

DAILY POST reports that the Senate on Wednesday turned down a proposed change to Clause 60, Subsection 3, of the Electoral Amendment Bill that aimed to compel the electronic transmission of election results.

Reacting to the matter, Ezekwesili said, “The fundamental issue with the review of the Electoral Act is that the Senate retained the INEC 2022 Act, Section 60 Sub 5.

“This section became infamous for the loophole it provided INEC, causing Nigerians to lose trust. Since the law established that it wasn’t mandatory for INEC to transmit electoral results in real-time, there wasn’t much anyone could say.

“Citizens embraced the opportunity to reform the INEC Act, aiming to address ambiguity and discretionary opportunities for INEC. Yet, the Senate handled it with a “let sleeping dogs lie” approach. The citizens have every reason to be as outraged as they currently are.”

Politics

Electoral act: Senate’s action confirms Nigeria ‘fantastically corrupt’, ‘disgraced’ – Peter Obi

Published

16 hours ago

February 6, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has condemned the Senate’s refusal to make electronic transmission of election results mandatory, saying the move further exposes Nigeria as a fantastically corrupt and disgraced country.

Obi expressed his views in a statement shared on X on Friday, where he accused lawmakers of deliberately weakening Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He explained that his reaction came after a brief pause to mourn victims of a deadly tragedy in Kwara State, where over 150 people reportedly lost their lives.

“Let us first pray for the souls of the innocent Nigerians lost in Kwara. That painful incident is why I delayed responding to the shameful development surrounding our electoral system,” he wrote.

Describing the Senate’s decision as intentional and dangerous, Obi said rejecting mandatory electronic transmission was not a simple oversight but a calculated attempt to block transparency.

“The Senate’s open rejection of electronic transmission of results is an unforgivable act of electoral manipulation ahead of 2027,” he said.

According to him, the action strikes at the heart of democracy and raises serious questions about the true purpose of governance in Nigeria.

“This failure to pass a clear safeguard is a direct attack on our democracy. By refusing these transparency measures, the foundation of credible elections is being destroyed. One must ask whether government exists to ensure justice and order or to deliberately create chaos for the benefit of a few.”

The former Anambra State governor linked the post-election controversies of the 2023 general elections to the failure to fully deploy electronic transmission of results, insisting that Nigerians were misled with claims of technical failures.

“

The confusion, disputes and manipulation that followed the 2023 elections were largely due to the refusal to fully implement electronic transmission,” he said.

He added that the so-called system glitch never truly existed.

Obi compared Nigeria’s electoral process with those of other African countries that have embraced technology to improve credibility, lamenting that Nigeria continues to fall behind.

“Many African nations now use electronic transmission to strengthen their democracy. Yet Nigeria, which calls itself the giant of Africa, is moving backwards and dragging the continent along.”

He criticised Nigeria’s leadership class, saying the country’s problems persist not because of a lack of ideas but because of deliberate resistance to meaningful reform.

“We keep organising conferences and writing policy papers about Nigeria’s challenges. But the truth is that the leaders and elite are the real problem. Our refusal to change is pushing the nation backwards into a primitive system of governance.”

Warning of the dangers ahead, Obi said rejecting electronic transmission creates room for confusion and disorder that only serves the interests of a small group.

He also recalled past remarks by foreign leaders who described Nigeria as corrupt, arguing that actions like this continue to justify those statements.

“When a former UK Prime Minister described Nigeria as ‘fantastically corrupt,’ we were offended. When former US President Donald Trump called us a ‘disgraced nation,’ we were angry. But our continued resistance to transparency keeps proving them right.”

Obi warned that Nigerians should not accept a repeat of the electoral irregularities witnessed in 2023.

“Let there be no mistake. The criminality seen in 2023 must not be tolerated in 2027.”

He urged citizens to be ready to defend democracy through lawful and decisive means, while also calling on the international community to closely monitor developments in Nigeria’s electoral process.

“The international community must pay attention to the groundwork being laid for future electoral manipulation, which threatens our democracy and development,” Obi stated.

He concluded by expressing hope that change is still possible if Nigerians take collective responsibility.

“A new Nigeria is possible but only if we all rise and fight for it.”