He is a foundation member of the APC and once served as presidential adviser in the days of the former president, Muhammadu Buhari. But Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, a lawyer, is worried about what he calls the hijack of the party by some political leaders whose conducts, he believes, are capable of causing an implosion in the state chapter of the APC, especially as the 2027 elections approach.
He told journalists in this interview, that the party leaders at all levels should ensure an inclusive and transparent processes for the election of candidates for the elections, failure of which may force some party members to work against the party.
Excerpts:
Let’s do a post mortem on the recently concluded congresses of the APC in your state, which led to the emergence of officials at the state and national level. How do you assess the handling of the processes?
Some of us are still not considered members of the Party, even though we gave our all to build it from 2013—when we were regarded as pariahs or non‑conformists—because we sought to create an alternative platform in the State that would deepen democracy, inclusiveness, and bring dynamism and multifacetedness to the polity. When I indicated interest in becoming a national officer, the party in the state acted as though I was not one of them, simply because I do not come from the “right” place or belong to the circle of those calling the shots. They seem to forget that all of us, working in unison, contributed both in cash and in kind to the success of the party before and during the 2023 elections. That is the way forward.
You can imagine that I was one of those who fought tooth and nail to bring APC into the state. In my local government area, Yakurr, the very first APC meeting was hosted by me in 2013 at my father’s country home in Ugep. I was also Co‑Secretary of the Committee that negotiated the formation of APC in 2013 and served in the Interim Management Committee set up to manage the affairs of the party in Cross River State between October 2013 and 2014. In addition, I served on the committee that organised the first APC National Convention. Yet today, I am deemed not worthy to be a stakeholder in my ward, local government area and state, simply because some people dislike my guts.
You think the party has been hijacked in Cross River? Where does the blame go?
Yes, the party has been hijacked. I have no doubt in my mind if what I have been seeing since 2023 is anything to go by. I am afraid that the APC in Cross River State may likely implode if a sincere, open, transparent, and democratic stakeholders’ meeting is not immediately convened—one that invites all shades of people from diverse ideological backgrounds, wings, and tendencies, and allows them to freely air their opinions, prisms, and perspectives on how to navigate the nomination of candidates. If the same system employed during the last Ward, Local Government, and State Congresses, as well as the last Local Government nomination of candidates—where very committed and loyal members of the Party were excluded simply because they were wrongly perceived as outspoken, vocal, not “Yes men,” or simply unwanted by those in power—is repeated, then the Party will bottle up resentment, ill feelings, and rebellion that could snowball into anti‑party activities during the 2027 general elections.
The time has come for stakeholders to discuss, deliberate and forge a consensus on the forthcoming primary election. Are we going to have a primary election or a consensus? Already, in Lagos State, such a forum has been convened and a consensus forged on the way forward. It is high time we did the same in Cross River State. The seeming peace in APC Cross River State today is nothing more than the peace of the graveyard—eerily quiet but deeply unsettled.
We must return to the consensus and unity that once enabled us to fight with one purpose and spectacularly win elections. At present, that unity is no longer there, even though members grumble quietly in beer parlours and in the inner recesses of their hearts. Imagine a situation where relatively young members of the Party sit down, handpick names of their lackeys, and use them to replace people who were genuinely elected as Ward and Local Government executives in Yakurr—simply because they are well connected to those in power. This is unacceptable. If the sore is not healed now, it will fester and have grave consequences during the general elections.
The APC was known to be very strong in the central. That is where you come from. Is it still the case today? Will it remain the same ahead of the 2027 election?
There is growing disquiet in the heartbeat of Cross River State. Indeed, it remains the bulwark and mediating ground between Southern and Northern Cross River, culturally, historically, and anthropologically. Yet, the stranglehold of the APC since 2023 has created a tense atmosphere. Many stakeholders remain silent, though simmering with anger, resentment, and ill feelings. If nothing is done now to reconcile differences, close the gap, and establish a deliberate process of appeasement, the situation could convulse into turmoil—degenerating into a political conflagration that may erupt during the general elections.
I do not wish for this to happen, because I love Cross River State and our party passionately and desire the best for her people and government as we continue to navigate through uncharted territories.
Let’s get home and talk about the senatorial district and federal constituency. It will soon be time for primaries and then the main election. What is your least expectation. What are your fears, especially in the handling of the primaries expected to happen soon?
Some members of the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly have performed below par. Many have grown arrogant, swollen‑headed, inaccessible and unapproachable, demonstrating traits of reluctant and uninspiring leadership. A number of them have thoughtlessly failed to return to their constituents, party members and leaders who sacrificed their livelihoods, comfort, and resources to secure their election. For three years, they have not even offered a simple “thank you.” These representatives have become detached, dodgy, and shifty in their relationship with the people.
Yet, there are others who have performed exceptionally well. They remain close to their constituents. Rt. Honourable Alex Egbona is one such leader. He takes time to meet with his constituents, including the downtrodden, occasionally bringing them together to interface, listen, and gather feedback. Leaders of this kind—humane, compassionate, accessible, and committed to servant leadership—deserve recognition.
The Party should allow us to use its internal elections as a barometer to appreciate such leaders and, conversely, as a mechanism to show the backdoor to those who have failed. There must be no imposition by party oligarchs seeking to handpick candidates. Otherwise, the implosion that has been warned about will surely occur.
If you had the opportunity of sitting with the president or the national chairman of the party or the state governor, what would you tell them on this matter?
I will speak to them in the language and theme in which I have spoken in this interview. I will speak boldly, objectively, factually, courageously, and with statesmanship in the interest of our Party and our country. I will urge them not to listen to the sycophants, praise singers, or those who align themselves with every government in power. I will call on them to reform the Party and return to the vision of its founding fathers—a Party built on the ideals of social democracy, internal democracy, respect for the rule of law and constitutionalism, accountability, transparency, and inclusivity.
