C’River Labour Party Stakeholders Convene in Calabar, Review Party Affairs Ahead of Council Elections
By Ndifon Joseph – Calabar
In a move that could reshape the political landscape in Cross River State, key stakeholders of the Labour Party (LP) gathered in Calabar, the state capital, at the behest of Gen. Enang Essien (Rtd), a strategic member of the National Transition Committee (NTC), established to fill the leadership gap and facilitate the emergence of a new national executive.
The meeting, which was attended by party faithful and supporters from various local government areas, focused on the current state of the Labour Party and the strategic steps needed to strengthen the party’s structure, particularly in preparation for the upcoming local government council elections.
The convener,Gen. Enang Essien, set the tone in his opening remarks, explaining that the primary purpose of the meeting was to brief stakeholders on the state of affairs within the Labour Party, following the expiration of the tenure of the Abure-led National Executive.
“This meeting is critical as it marks the beginning of a process that will see the Labour Party emerge stronger and more unified. We are here to strategize and set the stage for the formation of a State Transition Committee (STC) that will replicate the work of the NTC at the state level.”
Mr. Allen Ene, the Acting State Secretary of the party also addressed the stakeholders, outlining the vision for the party as they look towards the future.
“Our goal is clear. By 2027, we aim to have Labour Party candidates in elective offices at all levels. This will require us to go back to the grassroots, to rebuild our party structure from the ground up across every political ward in the state. The proposed local government council elections present a critical opportunity for us to demonstrate our organizational strength and connect with the electorate.”
Adding to the discourse, Barr. Bassey Akpanika, a seasoned legal practitioner and Labour Party stalwart, proposed the replication of transition committees at both the chapter and ward levels.
“The establishment of these committees at the wards and chapter level is non-negotiable if we are serious about revitalizing our party. Moreover, it is crucial that we embark on an aggressive membership registration drive. We need accurate and up-to-date membership registers across all wards to ensure that our base is not only large but also active and engaged.”
The proposal for creating transition committees at the grassroots level and embarking on membership registration was met with broad approval from those in attendance, who saw it as a necessary step towards consolidating the party’s influence across the state.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Mr. Eugene Bessong Obia, the Acting State Chairman of the Labour Party, expressed his gratitude to Gen. Essien for what he described as a “fruitful and insightful interactive session.”
He also praised the dedication of party members and supporters, noting their steadfast commitment despite the challenges faced in recent times.
“Today’s session has given us a clear roadmap for moving forward and I want to assure everyone that the Labour Party in Cross River State is ready to create an enabling platform for those who aspire to serve in political offices, particularly in the upcoming local government council elections. We are building a party that will not only participate but will also win.”
In her vote of thanks, Mrs. Victoria Aquah, a grassroot mobilizer, expressed collective satisfaction with the outcome of the meeting and noted that the session was long overdue, reflecting on the sense of directionlessness that had plagued the party in recent months
“We have felt like sheep without a shepherd for far too long. This meeting has been a breath of fresh air, and I am grateful to the General for his leadership. I urge him to convey our discussions and resolutions to the National Transition Committee so that our voices can be heard at the highest levels.”
The meeting concluded with a renewed sense of purpose and determination among the stakeholders, who left with a shared commitment to the Labour Party’s revival in Cross River State.
