By Okoi Obono-Obla
Ekori and Ugep are the two largest and most populated communities in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State. Ugep is made up of five traditional towns: Bikobiko, Ijom, Ijiman Okurubong, Ikpakapit, and Ketabebe. It has four electoral council wards: Bikobiko, Ijom, Ijiman Okurubong, and Ikpakapit.
Ekori, on the other hand, is made up of Ntan, Epenti-Afrekpe, Ajere, Ajere Beach, and Ekori Waterside, and is divided into three electoral council wards: Ntan, Ajere, and Epenti.
Yakurr One State Constituency of the Cross River State House of Assembly is one of the 25 state constituencies in the state. It is made up of Ekori, Idomi, and Ugep. Yakurr Two State Constituency, by contrast, is made up of five electoral wards: Assiga, Nyima, Nkporo/Ukpawen (Nko), Abanakpai (Nko), and Mkpani/Agoi.
In this write-up, I intend to focus on Yakurr One State Constituency, which is my own constituency.
Historical Background:
In the previous constitutional dispensation, Ugep and Ekori did not belong to the same constituency. Between 1979 and 1983, in the old Cross River State, Ekori, Mkpani, Assiga, Nko, and Agoi belonged to one state constituency, represented by Honourable Eteng Ekpe from Ntan, Ekori.
Meanwhile, Ugep and Idomi belonged to another constituency, represented by Honourable Ubi Oden from Bikobiko Town in Ugep. After the 1983 general elections, Hon. Lawrence Ubi Oden was replaced by Honourable Lawrence Butum. However, the military coup of 31 December 1983 suspended all democratic institutions.
In 1987, Akwa Ibom State was carved out of the old Cross River State, leading to the creation of new local government areas. Ugep Local Government Area was created out of Obubra Local Government Authority.
During General Ibrahim Babangida’s transition programme (1989–1993), the Cross River State House of Assembly was established with 25 members. By September 1991, Ugep Local Government Area was divided into Abi and Yakurr LGAs, and Yakurr was allotted two constituencies: Yakurr One and Yakurr Two.
Yakurr One was made up of Ugep, Idomi, and Nko (Bikobiko, Ijom, Ikpakapit, Ijiman, Idomi, Nkporo/Ukpawen, and Abanakpai). Honourable Etim Ayomobi represented the constituency between January 1992 and November 1993, until the military toppled the Interim National Government headed by Chief Ernest Shonekan.
Yakurr Two was composed of Ekori, Mkpani, Assiga, and Nyima, represented by Honourable Abu Eyo from Agoi Ibami during the same period.
Current Dispensation;
When democracy resumed in 1999, the composition of constituencies was adjusted. Yakurr One became composed of Ekori, Idomi, and Ugep (with eight electoral wards as enumerated above). Yakurr Two became composed of Nko, Assiga, Nyima, and Mkpani/Agoi, with five electoral wards.
From 1999 to date, representation in Yakurr One has alternated among the three communities:
– Ekori (1999–2007)
– Ugep (2007–2015, 2023–2027)
– Idomi (2015–2023)
Looking Ahead to 2027;
The question now arises: which of these three communities—Ekori, Ugep, or Idomi—will produce the representative for Yakurr One State Constituency in the 2027 general elections? To maintain balance, inclusiveness, and a sense of belonging among the three towns, a rotational model may be necessary.
Perhaps Yakurr One should adopt the model of Etung Local Government Area, where rotation among communities takes place every four years. This would ensure fairness, reduce political tension, and strengthen unity among the constituent communities.
Conclusion:
The history of Yakurr One State Constituency shows a deliberate effort to balance representation among its three major communities. As 2027 approaches, adopting a structured rotational model like that of Etung could guarantee inclusiveness and sustain harmony. The future of Yakurr One lies in embracing fairness and unity in political representation.
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