The battle for the governorship ticket of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State has become more intense as speaker an NNPC top-shot square up with other aspirants for Governor Liyel Imoke’s job, reports Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan
Ahead of the 2015 gubernatorial election in Cross Rivers State, the battle for the governorship ticket of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has become intense with candidates squaring up in a fierce fight for the control of the party from the wards to state levels.
According to sources within the party, the severe agitation by aspirants, especially from the northern zone of the state for the party’s ticket, stem from several announcements by Governor Liyel Imoke that he is committed to ensuring equity and fairness by ensuring that his successor emerges from the Northern Senatorial District that is yet to produce a governor for the state.
Speaking on the matter during a media parley recently, Imoke reminded his listeners that Cross River has three senatorial districts. “Two senatorial districts have produced, by the grace of God, governors. One has not. Would it be fair for us not to allow the other senatorial district a governor? Will it be fair?
“This is a just a question of simple fairness. Just like we had president from the North, then, South West, now from South-South, there is no big deal. It is a natural sequence. That is why I support it openly. Some people have been asking ‘Oga, keep quiet over this matter. This is not how to do it.’ I say I don’t know how to deal with what is honest, sincere, correct and right.”
And in a move that suggests that the leadership of the party in the state may be thinking in the same direction as the governor, the party recently de-emphasised the position of the governor.
According to a release by the party, the Southern Senatorial District had Donald Duke as governor from May 1999 to May 2007 and at the moment, Imoke from the Central Senatorial District is in charge of affairs in the state. So, in its view, Imoke was right in stating his support for the emergence of his successor from the northern zone of the state.
But in spite of the early signs that the party will favour candidates from the north for the job, not many aspirants went public with their aspirations at the initial stage. Save for Godwin Apple Agim, who openly signified interest for the job as far back as 2011. Others chose to keep their cards to their chest until recently when a deluge of aspirants went to town with their aspiration to succeed Imoke.
Stating his reason for enlisting in the race then, Agim said, “my aspiration is anchored on the principle of zonal rotation of the state’s governorship with Cross River North being the unquestionable zone to produce the incumbent’s successor in 2015 after successive stints by the South and the (ongoing) Central, especially considering that, since the state’s creation, the North has never produced the governor, except on an administrative basis.
“I am very aware that many household names from Cross River North are being touted as likely and, in a few cases, significantly qualified to become the next governor. “However, being a former political office holder, particularly under the status-quo, as many of such persons are, is not necessarily an asset at a time like this when our state needs a new and holistic leadership reorientation – along lines of pragmatism and consummate diligence.
“It is my earnest thinking, and I am sure many objective persons will agree with me, that Cross River needs a thorough-bred entrepreneur who will lead the state with the gumption and industriousness that it truly deserves. Not only do I humbly and readily fit that description, but it has come through the added advantage of having a business experience in Finland, one of the foremost European states and one with a striking similitude to our state’s greatest aspirations.”
But the contest is now fiercer than it was when Agim dreamt up his aspiration. Already jostling for the coveted position is an array of influential and powerful politicians from various parts of the state. They include Mr. Goddy Agba, the General Manager Crude, NNPC, Professor Ben Ayade, the Senator representing the Northern Senatorial District, Mr. John Odey, former Minster of Environment, Mr. Larry Odey, Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Mr. Fidel Egoro, Deputy State Chairman of the PDP, Mr. Mr Tanko Ashong, Legal Adviser NEMA, Mr. Legor Idagbo, Commissioner for Works and Mr. Fidel Ugbo, the serving Secretary of National Planning Commission.
With the new array of aspirants, some observers are wondering if Agim would be dwarfed. But sources within his camp say the Finland-based politician is not giving up just yet. “He wants to see the contest to the very end,” a source said.
The entrance of Hon. Larry Odey, former Acting Governor and now Speaker of the House of Assembly in Cross River State, into the 2015 governorship race has further changed earlier equations. But he has remained behind the scene until recently when he suddenly announced his interest. Sources say the very healthy relationship he enjoys with Imoke and some powerful PDP leaders at the national level may work in the favour of the Speaker.
Odey, who represents Yala State Constituency in the state Assembly, said he is the most qualified aspirant for Imoke’s job. He is seeking to contest on the ticket of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The Speaker said he is vying because, according to him, the PDP caucus in the state has unanimously zoned the 2015 governorship slot to his zone, the Northern Senatorial District of the state.
Describing himself as the most qualified candidate, Odey told journalists last week: “I have been the acting governor of the state for three months when the Appeal Court nullified the mandate of Gov. Liyel Imoke in 2012. Haven’t been the acting governor, and currently serving as Speaker of Cross River State House of Assembly, I have the capacity, experience and pedigree to contest the 2015 in the state.
“I have been in the umbrella party for a long time now and at that level, I am not lacking any quality not to contest the polls,’’ he said. On his agenda, Odey said: “My primary motivation for the race is to promote educational and economic development of the state and to serve the good people of Cross River with dignity, transparency, and accountability.
“Cross River is blessed with natural and human resources, with the support of all stakeholders, we can move the state to a greater height. The choice of the people matters most in politics, your opponents do not really matter, anyone who thinks he has something good to offer the people can as well run for the polls,’’ he said.
But pundits say it may not be an easy ride for the Speaker. According to watchers of the politics of the state, unless the Speaker gets the backing of the powerful blocs within the state, he is not much of a political heavyweight to go it all alone with or without some stakeholders.
“In spite of his pedigree politically, Odey is not that strong to say he will be governor on his own merit. We know those who can say such in the politics of Cross Rivers state,” a party chieftain said.
There is also a lot of talk about the frenzy within the political camp of Jeddy Agba, outgoing General Manager Crude, NNPC, as The Nation learnt that he has sent in his resignation letter to the management of the corporation. His disengagement from NNPC, according to insiders’ report, is expected to take effect in a couple of months. “He is resigning so as to concentrate all his energy on his governorship ambition,” a source said.
Sources in Calabar, the state capital, said Agba is putting a lot of energy and resources into his campaign effort with regular visits to the state in recent weeks. According to reports, the politician, hoping to take advantage of the zoning arrangement with the ruling party as announced by the governor, is reaching out to party leaders and members across the divisions of the state.
“Agba is not taking the contest with kids’ glove. He appears to be ready for the political dog fight that is sure to trail the contest for the party’s ticket ahead of the 2015 general election. He is fast popularising himself among politicians. This is easy because he has a large political war chest and he seems poised to use all available resources to see his ambition through.
“As party leaders, we are open to all the aspirants and ready to listen to them all. That is what you are witnessing. The fact that Agba is going round the party leaders and telling them of his ambition is not enough for his people to claim that he has our endorsement. Even if he doles out money to politicians as they claim he is doing, the party will still allow the people to decide who they want,” a chieftain of the party said.
Unconfirmed report has it that some unnamed party chieftains have already benefitted some largesse from the Agba Campaign Organisation as part of efforts to familiarise the aspirant with the leadership of the party at both state and grassroots levels.
“The philanthropic gesture on the part of the aspirant is not just because of the 2015 election. Check the records; he has always been giving to people. Of course, people are seeing what he is doing now because it is election time,” a close source said.
But observers of the unfolding political scenarios say it is going to be difficult for Agba to go far in the race given some salient factors militating against his ambition. One of such factors is that he was unknown politically in the state before now.
“Agba was not known to us before now. The story making the round is that he is relying on some powers from above to make him governor. Yes, he is spending money on his ambition but our people know their leaders. We are used to following the direction our leaders outline for us. Unless he gets the support of the leaders of the key power blocs within the state, I doubt if he will go far in his aspiration,” Gershom Atsu, coordinator of the New Era Movement (NEM), a group within the ruling party in the state, said.
Another problem is the repeated talk of the alleged missing N20billion in NNPC. Agba, who is a prince in line to the throne of his father, Uti JD Agba, the Paramount Ruler of Obudu, holds very sensitive position in the company and his political opponents are therefore not wasting time to remind whoever wishes to hear of the missing money, notwithstanding that it has not been traced to him.
“With news that he is one of those answering questions in Abuja over the N20billion saga, the people of the state are sure to be cautious about receiving him as a governorship aspirant. This is not about whether he will win; it is first about how we view him as an aspirant. I think he has a lot of explanations to make before he can be seen as an aspirant. We are not saying he is guilty as charged but we are saying we need to know all about our aspirants before accepting their aspirations,” Atsu said.
But former PDP National Director of Publicity, Barrister Venatius Ikem, thinks otherwise. In his opinion, Jeddy Agba can govern Cross River State. “First, I consider him eminently qualified by his career experience, having worked in the public service of Nigeria for over 20 years, spanning the Ministries of FCT, Foreign Affairs and currently, Petroleum Resources, where he had served with distinction, earning a National Honour for his efforts. Secondly, he hails from Cross River North Senatorial District, where, by popular understanding, the next governor is expected to emerge from,” had said of the NNPC top shot.
But arguing on the propriety or otherwise of Agba’s ambition, frontline lawyer and political analyst, Modupe Oduguwa, stated: “If indeed he is one of those being quizzed about the missing NNPC fund, then his gubernatorial ambition is an affront on the intelligence of the people of his state. It is enough to tell him to go answer the allegations first and forget about seeking to be governor.”
The frenzy in the state is not just about the three aspirants mentioned above. Across the state, mobilisation efforts are ongoing for numerous other aspirants who are equally ready to give the frontrunners a good fight for their money and pedigree.
Recently, a group, Cross River State Youths Forum, (CRSYF) added drama to the scenario when it threatened to take legal action against Senator Ben Ayade if he refuses to run as Governor of Cross River State in the 2015 governorship race in the state.
The president of the group, Comrade Joseph Ishajie, who made the disclosure during an interactive session with journalists in Calabar, berated politicians against making unguarded utterances that the old Ogoja (the North) has no credible candidates, neither do they ever speak with one voice in matters as this.
He said “We, the youths of Cross River, are out to give our total support to Senator Ayade and urge him to hasten up and declare to run for the governorship seat zoned to his area. And if he fails to contest, we will compel him by mobilising over one million youths to his house at Obudu. Surely, when he sees such action, he would be forced to declare. It is on record that he has empowered the youths more than any of his predecessors. He has recommended youths for jobs, sent some abroad for training and given financial assistance running into millions of naira for entrepreneurship scheme,” Ishajie added.
