The Independent National Electoral Commission has ignited fresh controversy in Cross River State by uploading Mrs Nkoyo Toyo, a former Nigerian ambassador to Ethiopia, as the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress. The announcement, made days ago, comes despite ongoing court battles over parallel primary elections and disputed party leadership at both national and state levels.
John Ogar, factional chairman of the ADC in Cross River, rejected the development outright. He described Toyo as an imposter belonging to “a rogue faction whose actions fundamentally contradict the principles and values the ADC stands for.” His camp, calling itself the Legacy Group, has fielded Dr Effiong Nyong as their candidate.
According to Ogar, both the High Court and Court of Appeal have annulled exercises conducted by Toyo’s faction, with substantial costs awarded against them. He accused the rival camp of surreptitiously filing a stay of execution to invalidate the appellate court’s ruling while deliberately concealing this action from his group. The Legacy faction has now moved to the Supreme Court, expecting a verdict next week that could settle the matter.
Toyo’s group has denied any underhanded tactics. They insist they’re refusing to be distracted by the accusations. What happens when Nigeria’s electoral body finds itself caught between warring factions? For now, Cross River’s ADC supporters remain uncertain about who legitimately represents their party.
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