By John Asuquo,
When Donald Duke assumed office as Governor of Cross River State in 1999, a new era of politics began in the state. Through his ingenuity he was able to foster a peaceful process in politics thereby creating a one family party structure where political interest and ambitions were properly managed, a factor which made Cross River State a model of peace and serenity in Nigeria.
In 2007 when he was about leaving, despite his obvious powers and option of imposing his successor, the entire State House of Assembly members, the entire House of Representative members, the entire senatorial candidates in the state, he allowed the process of internal democracy, a process that allowed the will of the people.
Indeed, Donald’s guber candidate in the 2007 elections was Elder Walter Eneji but he didn’t allow personal interest and greed becloud his better judgment by imposing Walter or other candidates on the stakeholders and people of Cross River state, he allowed for internal democracy where the will of the people was effected, a process which made it possible for Imoke to become governor as well as other candidates, one of the key factors which kept Cross River State political class and the generality of the populace united as the outcome of the elections reflected the interest of the people.
How did we suddenly get here…
Greed for indefinite control of power is a perfect catalyst for corruption, abuse of power and gives rise to tyranny. When Imoke decided he must have control of government and the state structures long after his term in office by all means necessary, a wicked plan which metamorphosed into the dull tyrant called Imoke today manifested.
The enormity of the barbarity displayed by Imoke in the activities leading to the 2015 elections showed a dysfunctional, vile individual with a vicious desperation to have his way. Who can forget how ward registers were removed from the Party’s secretariat to Government Lodge to effect a well purported plan and create irregularities aimed at imposing Imoke stooges, Crossriverians are still haunted at how Imoke created an atmosphere of fright and daunting intimidation, the serial removal and suspensions of individuals opposed to his imposition plans.
For the first time in the history of Cross River State politics, Crossriverians witnessed in shock how Imoke stage-managed the entire Cross River State PDP 2015 primaries imposing his stooges as flag bearers into all available political positions from the State House of Assembly, House of Reps, the Senate and the office of the Governor against the wishes of the people.
Imoke’s consternation, tyranny, intimidation and detrimental imposition agenda led to a revolution. He personally instigated cruel hatred and fighting amongst the once happy family in the state, setting up one against the other. How can a man fool all his northern senatorial appointees, lying to each one of them he was to make them governor of the state. He made sure they all resigned and spent the little money they didn’t have on campaigns. In the end, not one of them stood as a candidate in the primaries, yes, he dumped them all at the eleventh hour. His wife couldn’t hide her admiration of the wicked act as she declared Imoke a “political Maradona”.
Some of those aspirants as still in trauma, they finally saw Imoke for who he is “a horrible liar”.
After playing out his political script, disenfranchising party members, delegates in the last primaries including coming up with several fictitious names as delegates, cancelling primaries that didn’t go his way, increasing crime rate in the state, intimidating and imposing his boys, friends and allies against the wish of the people… The generality of Crossriverians including more than 80% party members dumped him and moved on to the Labour Party.
Notably among those who left is Senator Prince Bassey Otu, The benchmark for good governance, an icon of empowerment in Cross River State and the pride of the Southern Senatorial District.
Unarguably, It is on record that Senator Otu officially started Empowerment in Cross River State. His mandate for empowering his constituents, feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, teaching the illiterates and providing jobs for the jobless has left a permanent smile on the faces of millions.
In a statement, the Paramount ruler of Calabar South, Muri Munene Efiong Edem Okokon Mbukpa Eta Odionka Ebuka VII Jp noted that “Prince Otu’s love for peace and justice, provokes his love and care for his people. There is no family in our senatorial district, that has not been touched by his welfare and human developmental scheme. In the hallowed chambers, he is very vocal”.
Over the years, Senator Otu has consistently demonstrated exceptional commitment in the progress, peace, stability and development of the Southern Senatorial District in every capacity. Almost every community has a project facilitated by Senator Bassey Otu, projects critically considered and tainted with interventionist’s contents. It simply announces a man with a liberal and humane orientation.
Otu, a man whom the spoils of the Office couldn’t spoil, a combatant in the jungle of democracy, a man that has changed so many from being mere thugs to business owners, a man that has change doom to boom, and has made many to become car owners today.
I was Senator Bassey who facilitated the AMCON bailout for Cross River State. By this feat, it was possible for the huge debt profile of Cross River state which was threatening to economically ground the state to be erased.
He was unanimously endorsed to go back to red chambers come 2015 for a second term for his unprecedented human and capital developmental advancement by the generality of the people of South but Imoke felt the Southern Senatorial ticket was for settlement and did everything including cancelling the primaries twice to forcefully impose Gershom Bassey when the delegates unanimously voted for Otu.
After the mass rejection of the PDP in the state and in light of the imminent failure in the 2015 general elections to Labour candidates, Gershom Bassey, Imoke and the PDP have sponsored a series of assassination attempts, violence, political thuggery all in an attempt to intimidate Labour aspirants and the good people of the state.
Gershom’s desperation and non-acceptability by the people of the Southern Senatorial district has led to the “do-or-die” politics, violence and intimidation being witnessed in Calabar today.
It can be recalled that the city of Calabar experienced total anarchy and mayhem as Gershom Bassey’s political cult groups went on rampage killing more than eight persons and rendering Calabar South a no-go area for close to two days as business and properties were looted and destroyed under the watchful supervision of Senator Liyel Imoke.
Of note, is the kidnap of Hon. Dominic Aqua, a House of Representative aspirants under the Labour Party on the order of Chief Gershom Bassey, to feign suspicion, he blamed it on Hon. Essien Ayi. Understandably, his desperation is borne out of Imoke’s failure to install him as his successor. But how far can an imposed and desperate Gershom bassey go with his crime.
In reality, the origin of the sudden proliferation of violence or politics by maiming which is now the case in Cross River State was introduced by Senator Liyel Imoke and Chief Gershom Bassey his friend and ally, the unpronounced Lord of the mannor.
Imoke should call his friend Chief Gershom Bassey to order, by asking him to withdraw from the Senatorial race to avoid the imminent shame which awaits him when Prince wins the general election in a landslide.
They are several issues which relates to the eligibility of Gershom Bassey to run for the Senatorial race as his certificates are all fake “TORONTO”, but that is a matter for another day.
Finally, It is important to note that, this campaign of calumny against Prince Otu and Labour Party is aimed at confusing Cross Riverians. It clearly suggests a failed bunch that will stop at nothing to snatch victory by any means necessary. It is shameful, dirty and outdated.
We call on all Cross Riverians to shun all attempts of intimidation and vote for a better Cross River by voting Labour aspirants all the way. All relevant law enforcement agencies must set a level playing field and in the upcoming elections.
Disclaimer: This article is purely the views of the author – Delta Newsroom
