By Kelvin Obambon
State Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council in Cross River, Engr. Edet Okon Effiom, has explained that IPAC is basically an advisory body, just as its name implies, and should not be erroneously viewed as purely opposition mechanism.
This is moreso, because according to Engr. Effiom, IPAC is an umbrella body for both ruling and opposition parties in the country as clearly spelled out in the instrument establishing the body.
The state chairman made this clarification in a statement on Saturday 4th May, 2024, against the backdrop of misrepresentations on social media where some individuals claimed that effective opposition was lacking in Cross River State, and had indirectly blamed IPAC for not leading the charge.
According to the IPAC chief, “The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) is the umbrella body of all the registered Political Parties in Nigeria. A platform for the promotion and sustenance of a free, fair, credible, transparent, acceptable, inclusive and peaceful electoral environment in Nigeria.
“It promotes the conduct of political contests devoid of rancour and emphasizes the values of tolerance, sound conduct, a spirit of accommodation and teamwork in planning or organizing political competition with a view to strengthening and deepening the nation’s emerging democracy.”
He continued, “The instrument of authority establishing the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) is the Political Parties Code of Conduct, 2006, which was amended in 2007, 2011, 2013, 2018, 2019 and 2020 respectively as the nation’s Political Parties evolve to meet the demands of liberal democracy and good governance.”
Effiom maintained that while IPAC was not primarily established as an opposition vehicle, the Council however frowned at anyone who derides the opposition parties in the state.
He emphasized that “IPAC Cross River State is fully in support of the leadership style of His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu. So far we have not seen any reason to be against his governance because we have just one Cross River State which is our first interest to protect and ensure peace and stability that is necessary for development to thrive.
“Talking about effective opposition, is it until the opposition parties take up arms against the government before they will acknowledge their effectiveness? Those pushing this narrative were in government before and no one heard them talking about effective opposition then. All we need in Cross River State at this moment is peace and tranquility to enable the Prince Bassey Otu-led administration deliver on its people first agenda, which resonates well with us at IPAC.
“However, while we urge the opposition parties to be on their guard and call out the government of the day where it goes astray, we equally implore all well-meaning Cross Riverians to support this government to enable it succeed, because if the government fails, its failure will rub off on us all,” he said.