The political permutation in Obubra Local Government Area (LGA) of Cross River State has been shaped by a long-standing tradition of zoning its chairmanship position in a way that ensures fairness and equity among the various clans and wards. This system, which involves the systematic rotation of leadership positions across the two main constituencies of the LGA Constituency One and Constituency Two has become a critical tool for maintaining peace, fostering unity, and ensuring that all parts of the local government have a share in governance.
Constituency One comprises the Osopong Clan and the Ofumbogha/Yala Clan, each of which has sub-structures that are carefully considered when allocating the chairmanship position. In the Osopong Clan, the position may go to either Osopong One or Osopong Two, which are separated by a river, or to Obubra Urban Ward. In the Ofumbogha/Yala Clan, the chairmanship alternates between the Mbembe-speaking part of the clan, which is Ofumbogha, and the Yala Nkum-speaking part, which makes up the Yala Nkum axis. This intricate zoning system ensures that the diverse communities in Constituency One receive proportional representation.
When it is Constituency One’s turn to produce the chairman, the chairmanship position rotates between the two clans and their respective sub-areas. The most recent chairman from Constituency One was from the Ofumbogha area, specifically the Mbembe-speaking part, leaving the Yala Nkum side waiting for a future turn. This careful division of leadership positions prevents domination by any one clan or sub-clan and fosters inclusiveness.
Similarly, Constituency Two, which consists of the Adun and Okum Clans, follows its own rotation system. The Adun Clan is divided into two blocks: Adun One and Adun Two, with four wards between them. The Okum Clan is also divided into two blocks: Okum One, made up of Apiapum and Iyamoyong, and Okum Two, which consists of Ochon. The allocation of the chairmanship within Constituency Two follows the same micro-zoning principle that governs Constituency One, ensuring that every part of the constituency gets its share of political leadership.
The history of chairmanship in Constituency Two is equally complex and strategic. The last chairman from Constituency Two was Dr. Kyrian Ibi Mfam from Ovonum Ward, in Adun Two. Before Dr. Kyrian, other chairmen from Adun included Hon. Moses Onor from Oyandama in Adun One, and Raymond Obeten from Ofodua Ward in Adun Two. After Dr. Kyrian, the rotation of the chairmanship shifted back to Constituency One, this time to the Ofumbogha/Yala Clan.
With the chairmanship position now rotating back to Constituency Two, political attention has naturally shifted to Okum Clan, which has not held the chairmanship for some time. Okum is divided between Okum One and Okum Two, and the previous chairman from Okum came from Ochon Ward, which is in Okum Two. As a result, the chairmanship this time around has been micro-zoned to Okum One.
Within Okum One, a further division arises between the two major wards: Apiapum and Iyamoyong. Apiapum, however, is already politically influential, having Rt. Hon. Mike Etaba as a three-term member of the House of Representatives, as well as Hon. Ms. Edema Irom, who currently serves as the Commissioner for Women Affairs in Cross River State. Given this concentration of political power, the decision has been made to zone the chairmanship to Iyamoyong Ward, which has not held the chairmanship in recent years.
Several aspirants from Iyamoyong Ward have emerged to vie for the chairmanship position, each bringing their own credentials and political experience. These include Sunday Okorn Ayang and Maurice Edim Ikora, both from Iyamitet Village, as well as Hon. (Dr.) Okora Elucate Ekom and Kingsley Ebuka, who hail from Iyamoyong Village. Other notable contenders include Babila Ayami Irom, also from Iyamoyong Village, and Eastmond Ojen from Okumurutet Village. Each of these aspirants comes from within Iyamoyong Ward, aligning with the current zoning arrangements.
In contrast, there are also aspirants from outside Iyamoyong Ward who are seeking to challenge the zoning principles. These include Agbor Ibon Apolo from Apiapum Ward and Nsiyan Ogar Okey, popularly known as “Dubest,” from Ochon Ward in Okum Two. Although Dubest claims some familial ties to Iyamoyong through his mother, he is primarily considered to be from Ochon Ward. His candidacy has raised questions about the integrity of the zoning system, with many arguing that the principle of origin by one’s paternal lineage must be strictly adhered to.
This issue of origin and eligibility is a sensitive one in Obubra’s political sphere. The case of Dubest has drawn comparisons to Etim John, who once claimed Ejagam ancestry to win political office in Etung Local Government Area, only to later direct his developmental efforts toward his paternal homeland in Ebonyi State. Such instances have led to calls for stricter scrutiny of candidates’ claims of origin, especially in cases where aspirants attempt to circumvent established zoning practices.
Apart from Dubest, other aspirants from outside Iyamoyong Ward include Emmanuel and Gabriel Ijang, both from Apiapum Ward, as well as Don Cool from Adun and Peter Akam Egba from Ababene in Adun Clan. Their candidacies have sparked concerns that the zoning system might be undermined by those seeking to use political connections rather than following the traditional rotation of power.
Despite these challenges, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Obubra remains committed to upholding the zoning principle, which has been a cornerstone of political stability in the area. By adhering to the micro-zoning of the chairmanship to Iyamoyong Ward, the party seeks to maintain balance and ensure that political power is distributed equitably among the different clans and wards of the local government.
The importance of the zoning system in Obubra cannot be overstated. It serves as a mechanism for preventing political marginalization and ensuring that no one clan or group dominates the local government. By rotating leadership positions among the various constituencies and wards, the system fosters a sense of belonging and inclusion, which is crucial for maintaining peace and harmony in the area.