The Cross River state NDDC Representative Rt. Hon. Orok Duke has admonished Cross Riverians to turn out en masse to vote for their preferred candidates in the November 2nd local government elections in the state.
Duke who made the call while speaking with journalists in Calabar Thursday, urged Cross Riverians to see this as an opportunity to elect credible leaders who will foster development and effective representation at the grassroot level.
According to him, “the wards and local governments are the strata of government closest to the grassroot and represents the foundation of governance, so the need to elect credible leaders at that level cannot be overemphasized.”
While calling on the Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSIEC) to ensure a level playing ground for all candidates, he encouraged electorates to trust the electoral umpire to deliver a free, fair and credible election.
Read Also: Bandits kidnap 16 in Kebbi
He said: “while going out on Saturday to exercise your franchise, ensure to conduct yourself peacefully, adhere to all rules and directives as directed by the umpire and refrain from any form of electoral malpractice and violence aimed at marring the electoral process.
“CROISEC have given us their word that the process will be free, fair and just to all parties involved, let’s take them for their word as we come out to vote,” Duke said.
Elections to elect chairmen and councilors into the 18 local government councils and 196 wards in Cross River State is scheduled to hold this Saturday November 2nd across the state.