In Cross River State, a leader from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Peter Inyali, has made a bold challenge. He wants Mr. Agba Jalingo, the chairman of the African Action Congress (AAC), to put forward candidates for the local government elections that are coming up.
Dr. Inyali thinks that instead of always criticizing others, Mr. Jalingo should give people a choice by introducing his own candidates. For example, in Obudu Local Government Area (LGA), where both men come from, Mr. Jalingo should show who he thinks can be a good leader.
Dr. Inyali said in a statement from Calabar, “Instead of telling others what to do, let AAC and Mr. Agba Jalingo put forward their own candidates for the election. Let the people decide who they want.”
He also said, “If Mr. Jalingo is really serious about good leadership, he should be looking inside his own party for solutions, not expecting other parties to do it.”
Dr. Inyali reminded Mr. Jalingo that he once said his party, AAC, would be ready for future elections.
“I am looking forward to seeing candidates from AAC for the chairmanship and council seats in the ten wards,” said Dr. Inyali. He added, “Mr. Jalingo always talks about high standards. Now, it’s time for him to show those standards in action.”
“As the state chairman of a political party, Mr. Jalingo should show his own candidate who he thinks can be the best chairman. Let the people vote. I really want to see if the AAC candidate can meet the high standards Mr. Jalingo sets for others.”
Mr. Agba Jalingo, a civil rights activist and journalist, has said that he will keep a close watch on all chairmen of Cross River LGAs, especially in his own area, Obudu.
Mr. Jalingo said, “If the money for the LGAs starts going directly to the councils as the Supreme Court said it should, I want to tell those who know nothing about leading but want to get rich from council money to stop wasting their time and money on elections in Obudu LGA.”
“You won’t be able to steal,” he continued, “Even if you try, you won’t get much. We will watch every penny you spend.”
He said he will use the Open Governance Project (OGP), which Cross River State signed up for in 2020, to make sure no money is stolen.
“LGA chairmen don’t have immunity. They can be taken to court and even jailed while in office.
“We will monitor all the money coming to the LGA from Abuja. All this information is available from the Federal Budget Office and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation. We will follow all financial receipts to Obudu Council very closely.”
“We will use the Freedom of Information (FOI) law to get details of monthly FAAC allocations, monthly Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), and records of spending, including salaries and allowances of LG workers, political appointees, health and primary school workers, and traditional rulers.”
“We will also ask for a forensic examination of the total number of people on the LGA payroll and what they are supposed to be paid,” said Mr. Jalingo.