The forthcoming Local Government elections in Cross River State throw up many political imperatives and the constant, often pricking narrative is the collective assignment of allowing the best candidate to emerge based on his or her contributions to the electoral process.
Other variables include the exposure, capacity, maturity, knowledge, acceptability and grasp of grassroots politicking. All these are found in quantum measures in the person of Beatrice Akpala, a remarkable goal getter, political and social activist, social media influencer and a recognized journalist with very many productive years of experience behind her.
Her credentials stand her out as a political figure, who, if given the chance, will amaze many with her achievements and strong approach to delivering the many dividends of democracy to the good people of Yala Local Government Area.
Giving her the nod for the chairmanship position will be a very strategic and equitable decision that cannot at all, be questioned by all right-thinking minds.
Beatrice Akpala has been in the corridors of State power for a considerable number of years and her superb handling of the duties assigned to her was laced with meeting timelines, and delivering on her mandate. Not even once was she found wanting in the discharge of her official functions.
She has ably tasted the forms and storms of political electioneering and emerged with remarkable results to the admiration of all and sundry.
Her visibly sterling contributions to the growth of the ruling party is manifest in her Ward and Local Government Area as a whole.
During the last general elections in March, 2023 that led to the careful coupling of the present administration Beatrice Akpala showed the stuff she was made of when all other wards fell to the onslaught of the opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP).
She alongside other leaders pulled their weight again and repeated the unbelievable feat during the re-run election. She remained steadfastly and fiercely loyal to the party in the face of unbelievable odds when fickle minds were busy selling and betraying the party. Her ability to secure landslide victories in those elections cannot be quantified in any terms. Such rare selfless and key political sacrifices need to be rewarded and the time to do so is now.
Assessing the political situation from different scenarios will still throw up Beatrice Akpala as the contender to beat.
The political landscape has over the years, been firmly dominated by the male folk. Yet, the truly undeniable impetus of Affirmative Action still exists whereby the political space should have a near balance between the male and the female folk. No one can therefore deny the fact that there is the compelling need to rectify the imbalance between the two sexes to at least, reduce male dominance in the system.
Besides Hon. Theresa Ngozi Ezama, who was privileged to serve briefly as the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Yala Local Government Area for six months, no other woman has ever been opportuned to do so. One can see why the 35% Affirmation for women should not be forgotten as we gradually but steadily approach the coming elections.
Moreover, the entrenched principle of rewards should be allowed to play out in who gets the ticket to be the flag bearer of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in Yala Local Government Area. The needful should be done whereby the direction of the Chairmanship ticket should follow the simple and acceptable Monkey Work, Monkey Chop principle embedded in the minds of all political stakeholders in Yala Local Government Area. Giving the ticket to wrong aspirants just for political and financial lucre will surely be counterproductive and not favourably beneficial to the party in the long run.
It feels good and imperative to accord the Ukelle North political axis and particularly, Wanihem Ward, the sought after opportunity to regale itself in political recognition.
Beatrice Akpala towers above all of her peers in the expected race for the Chairmanship ticket of Yala Local Government Area. Her all embracing slogan of Accountability and Service to the People, appeals to her constituents of all ages in Yala, regardless of any other considerations.
Her loyalty, dedication, sacrifices and very rare contributions to the growth of the ruling party, coupled with her nurturing of grassroots popularity are strong indices of her success at the polls coming up in October, 2024. She remains a strong bridge between the old and the new, a key factor that her education and exposure have afforded her.
Her accessibility and availability cannot be in doubt, as she is seen at every important issue, grassroot gathering, discourse, meetings and among stakeholders, always working, synergizing and keying in, to arrive at the way forward for Yala Local Government Area. Such a figure should not and cannot be ignored in the scheme of things. That accounts for why her people-oriented nature and grassroots sensitivity will be a useful tool in canvassing for votes and recording landslide victories in the various wards that make up Yala Local Government Area.
A toast for this brave media professional, goal getter, political party asset, mature lobbyist, intellectual and a tested political figure. Her occupation of the exalted Seat of Yala Local Government Area is a possibility that touches the hearts of all lovers of justice and fair play. The highly sensitive political horizon of Yala beckons on her.