Cross River ADC gov candidate, Toyo, unveils 11-point agenda

The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress in Cross River State, Amb. Nkoyo Toyo, has made local government autonomy the centrepiece of her proposed governance reforms, arguing that decentralising power is essential to empowering the state’s 29 language groups.

Toyo said communities must have control over their resources and development priorities if Cross River was to overcome ethnic marginalisation and build stronger local economies.

She spoke in Calabar shortly after the inauguration of her campaign council, where she unveiled a citizen-centred governance agenda focused on moving residents from what she described as a state of survival to one of prosperity.

“We are suffering and surviving. This is existential. We must go out of this existential mode into a more thriving environment,” she said.
The ADC candidate argued that local governments should enjoy financial and administrative autonomy, with direct access to their statutory allocations and the authority to determine their development priorities without depending on the state government.

She said such autonomy would allow communities to identify their economic potential, organise their resources and negotiate better terms with investors.

Toyo also linked decentralisation to the protection of land and mineral resources, warning that communities risked losing out when mining licences were issued by the Federal Government without adequate consultation with residents.

She cited disputes in parts of Akamkpa Local Government Area, arguing that communities should not be left with little benefit after investors had extracted valuable minerals from their land.

“If investors with mining licences enter communities, extract valuable minerals and leave residents with little benefit, the state would have failed its people,” she said.

She described Cross River’s ethnic diversity as a reason to strengthen grassroots governance, adding, “Rebuilding from below is how we protect our land, our resources and our voice.”

Toyo listed 11 priority areas in her proposed administration’s agenda: agriculture, economy, energy, environment, mineral resources, health, human capital development, infrastructure, transport, security and reforms.

She said the agenda aligned with the ADC’s national blueprint, which she described as being built on the principles of rule of law, accountability, security, productivity, protection and citizens’ empowerment.

The candidate also criticised the All Progressives Congress, accusing it of relying on personalities rather than its record after 12 years in power.

She said the party had failed to explain how it intended to improve governance and accountability, instead focusing its campaign messages on political rivals.

“What did they do? They didn't tell us how he was going to make society more accountable,” she said, referring to the APC’s campaign messaging.

Toyo also condemned what she described as an “anything-goes” approach to politics, in which religion and matters of faith had become campaign tools.

She cited insecurity and poor public services as signs of weak accountability, pointing to security concerns around the governor’s neighbourhood and a transformer that had remained faulty for three weeks without attention.