By Kelvin Obambon
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has successfully concluded its 2026 Cross River chapter election, resulting in the re-election of Engr. Effiom Edet Okon for a second term. The exercise, which took place in Calabar on Saturday under a peaceful atmosphere, has been widely praised by stakeholders for its transparency and adherence to democratic principles.
The election, conducted by the IPAC national election committee in collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), showcased a significant move toward political inclusiveness. Notably, Engr. Effiom, who emerged from the Action Peoples Party (APP), leads the council despite the All Progressives Congress (APC) being the ruling party in the state.
The exercise was supervised by the national leadership of IPAC, led by the National Chairman, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, who traveled from Abuja to oversee the process.
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Speaking shortly after the exercise, Dantalle congratulated Engr. Effiom on his victory while reminding the newly formed executive of the need for tolerance.
“Elections often come with disagreements, but leadership must remain magnanimous in victory,” he advised. “IPAC is a family of political parties. You must remain patient and inclusive while carrying out your responsibilities.”
Barrister Ago Bede Okukwe, National Organising Secretary of the APP and National Legal Adviser of IPAC, described the council as the essential umbrella body for all INEC-registered parties. He revealed ambitious plans to decentralize IPAC’s influence.
“Politics is fundamentally grassroots-oriented,” Okukwe remarked. “Plans are underway to extend the IPAC structure to all 774 local government areas across Nigeria to further strengthen democratic engagement.”
Hon. Nkoyo Otu, Special Adviser to the Governor on Inter-Party Affairs, commended the participants for conducting themselves in an orderly manner throughout the exercise. She noted that the peaceful nature of the election reflects the leadership style of the state governor.
“The peaceful conduct of this election reflects the character of Cross River State and Governor Otu’s commitment to unity and peaceful political engagement,” she said.
Also speaking, Dunamis Archibong, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Political Affairs, emphasized that the process strengthens the bond between diverse political entities.
“The election produced leadership outside the ruling party, demonstrating fairness and inclusiveness,” Archibong stated. “Before anyone becomes a party chairman, they are first a Cross Riverian. We must prioritize the collective interest of the state above party affiliations to ensure unity and development.”
In his acceptance speech, the re-elected chairman, Engr. Edet Effiom, expressed profound gratitude to the national leadership, INEC, and Governor Bassey Edet Otu for providing an enabling environment for democratic growth.
Effiom pledged that his new executive would focus on constructive engagement and inclusive governance. “We will continue to deepen democracy in Cross River State by ensuring the voices of citizens are heard, regardless of political affiliation. The council will remain a partner in progress, providing constructive advice to the government to sustain peace and development,” he said.
