The Lumine News

Category: Opinion

  • What People Don’t Know About Ben Akak, Obase Reveals

    What People Don’t Know About Ben Akak, Obase Reveals

     

    Recently, the name of the Chief Executive Officer of Ben Akak Foundation, Engr. Ben Akak has become a household name in the lips of Cross Riverians. A household name because of recent activities carried by the foundation, especially in the distribution of welfare packages to the less privileged in the society.

    It is also worthy of note that Ben Akak was prominent in the distribution of palliatives to the Cross River state government, Non-Governmental Organizations and individuals during the nationwide lockdown caused by the outbreak of COVID-19. It is as a result of these and many more that made many to come out to say that he is doing all of these pursuit of his ambition to become the state governor in 2023.

    They believe that the name has not been a popular name until he started nursing ambitions for the governorship seat in the state. It is on this premise that Obase Okanke Ofem Willie, who has known Ben Akak for about 10 years, has deflated the notion. He said it has been in the nature of Ben Akak to be the voice of the voiceless and the helper of the helpless.

    He said this while addressing journalists in Calabar. He said Ben Akak has been a philanthropist, humble and go-getter all through the years he has known him. He also disclosed that it was Ben Akak that started the Margaret Ekpo Development Foundation. He revealed that Ben Akak was the person who single handedly ran the Foundation with his money without getting support from anyone, disclosing that he was also the one who started the annual Margaret Ekpo lectures.

    He said: “As a Cross Riverian, we all yearn to have a positive change; we all yearn for an administration that has regard for the entire Cross River; that will develop Cross River economically beyond where we are today. And a lot of us have also looked at the fact that beyond the regular day to day politician, do we have such a person?

    “We know that the Southern Senatorial District is blessed with fantastic people, young people, old people, young leaders and all of that and coincidentally, a lot of people have been in the media, social media spaces and all of that talking about a number of other persons. I can speak for Ben Akak because I know Ben Akak fully well before today. A lot of people have known him before now, I don’t mind dropping their contacts, call them and they will talk to you about Ben Akak.

    “Ben Akak, I’ve known him more than ten years and if anybody tells me the highest attribute they know Ben for, it is humility. I say it everywhere and anywhere. Ben has been that humble person I know right from time immemorial that I’ve known him. The only difference is that because of additional assignments and engagements he is engaged with, he cannot be as accessible as he used to be before today. For that, I can excuse him for that and that is only natural. Ben is somebody who understands what he wants, he is a goal getter, and I can say it anywhere, any day, anytime”.

    He added that when people begin to say that Ben is an overnight philanthropist, that he doesn’t know what philanthropist means to them. He believes that if he can on his own have the welfare of the people at heart that he will do more when he has control of the funds government which will make governance easy and interesting for him.

    Obase who confidently believes that Ben Akak is the right man to cause the needed change in Cross River was of the opinion that based on personal interactions with him that he wouldn’t be that kind of leader who will change once he becomes the governor. He stated that his least expectation from him is failure while the highest expectation is to transform the state with his wealth of experience and intellectual capabilities.

  • Bendi Technical College In The Politics Of Rt. Hon. Legor Idagbo BY DAVE IMBUA

    Bendi Technical College In The Politics Of Rt. Hon. Legor Idagbo BY DAVE IMBUA

     

    The Bendi Technical College (BTC) in Obanliku Local Government Area of Cross River State recently attracted the attention of critics, commentators and analysts of pubic affairs. Established in 1978, the college has produced a great number of people, some of whom are now established scholars, technocrats and professionals across diverse endeavours of life. The contribution of her products to nation building and development is phenomenal and has been praised in several quarters. To list the names of men and women who passed through the college would fill volumes and we do not intend to make such a list here.

    Like many other public schools in Cross River State, the fortunes of BTC have terribly nosedived over the years, leaving students of the school to study under extremely difficult conditions. The college lacks basic infrastructure like access road/bridge, water supply, power, toilets, accommodation, office/classroom space/furniture, laboratories, workshops and a functional library/ICT centre. The existing buildings in the college have become scandalously dilapidated and unusable to staff and students. We can only leave to imagination the terribly cascading facilities at the college, which at some points, and ironically so, was attended by the Cross River State’s Commissioner for Quality Education, Dr Godwin Amanke, and the Chief of Staff to the Government of Cross River State, Hon. Martin Orim!

    Many people in Bendi, including this writer, had thought that the swearing-in of professors as Governor and Deputy Governor of Cross River State was going to improve the fortunes of the state’s education sector, including those of BTC. The change in nomenclature of the ministry of education to the ministry of quality education strengthened the optimism that there would be massive improvement in educational services and facilities. Six years down the road, the situation in public schools has not changed in any appreciable way; it has rather worsened as many other things under the current administration in the state. Little wonder, the euphoria and fanfare that greeted the emergence of the current administration have completely died down, leaving sycophants and booth lickers with the onerous responsibility of convincing Cross Riverians that things are getting better.

    To return to the BTC story, the desperate groans of parents and guardians about the terrible conditions of learning at the college sweetened up into joyful ululations when Rt. Hon. Legor Idagbo published a letter dated 25th September 2020 on his Facebook timeline announcing to the world that he had facilitated “the execution of Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) ICT Centre in Bendi Technical School.” The letter stated that “The contract price is N122,809,075.00 (One Hundred and Twenty-Two Million, Eight Hundred & Nine Thousand, Seventy-Five Naira) … . The contract duration shall be for a period of six (6) months which shall take effect from the commencement date of the contract.” Against the expectations of many stakeholders, the contract at BTC was executed in the most unsatisfactory and unacceptable manner. Rather than building a 21st century ICT centre, those involved with the contract merely collapsed two classrooms into a bigger space for the installation of computers. The shabby way the contract was executed left no one in doubt that its facilitators were more interested in what they would gain from it than how it would serve the end users.

    Displeased with the fraudulent and criminal betrayal of trust by the facilitator and contractors, the Northern Cross River Youths Coalition petitioned the MP to the EFCC. In a swift reaction, the MP dismissed the petition as a useless piece of handiwork of his enemies. Encouraged by this claim, his followers and supporters queried the writers of the petition, claiming that constituency project contracts are awarded to MDAs and not Members of National Assembly (NASS). Based on this claim, they ordered that all questions concerning the three projects facilitated by the MP in his constituency should be directed to the companies that executed them. Some concerned individuals bought this advice and resolved to follow up with the contractors since the MP and his supporters had made it clear that it was not his responsibility to ensure that his constituency projects were executed to specifications.

    As the concerned citizens set out to pursue the investigation with relevant questions, the supporters of the MP dramatically reversed themselves, calling on all and sundry to “beat the drums of joy” to the “pragmatic RT HON LEGOR IDAGBO” for turning the Bendi Technical College “into a much sought after citadel in ICT knowledge based hub.” With unusual excitement, they wrote further: “This [the project] was facilitated by our principal in his piloting of the affairs of Nigerian Local Content Monitoring Board Committee. At a time like this, the least we could all do as a sign of appreciation and a Filip for him to do more is to say THANK YOU. The trend whereby some brothers of ours are regrettably turning a blind eye to this humbling effort and rather more concern(Ed) with the 2023 race is of grave concern.” For some strange reasons, they regarded those calling for accountability and explanation as ungrateful enemies of the MP. To showcase their much-noised about transformation brought about by the MP at the BTC, they manufactured and displayed several breath-taking pictures of the college. Those pictures are capable of convincing the public that those who were still complaining about the quality of execution were unfair to the MP.

    To ascertain the reality on ground, I decided to take a trip to the BTC. Like every other person who has been to the college in the last few days can attest, there are several questions begging for answers by those that were involved with the project. BTC which has been used as a channel of siphoning public funds is in dire need of patriots who will look the facilitator and contractors in the face and tell them the truth about the injustice done to the present and future students of BTC as well as other constituents of Bekwarra/Obanliku/Obudu Federal Constituency. The supporters of the MP should not distract those who have taken it upon themselves to ask important questions at the relevant quarters by urging the public to roll out drums to celebrate the renovation and installation of computers in an expanded classroom.

    I should end this episode by reminding Bendi elites and other people that are supporting this injustice of W.E.B. Du Bois’ immutable assertion that it is a tragedy for an enlightened individual to pursue personal gains while ignoring the plight of his/her oppressed kin. We should always remember that from the time of Esau till now, people who sold their birthrights for a pot of porridge have lived in regrets. While it is true that half bread is better than none, it is also indubitable that the reverse is the case with education, where half of it is dangerous. It is the responsibility of good followers to ask questions on whether projects have been executed as awarded or not. If followers fail in this responsibility, the society will be the worse for it.

    Dr. Dave Imbua writes from the hills of Bendi.

    Disclaimer: This article is strictly the opinions of Dave Mbua PhD, and does not represent the views of The Lumine News or the organization the author works for.

  • Hon. Legor Idagbo ‘s 122Million ICT Constituency Project In Obudu BY AGBA JALINGO

    Hon. Legor Idagbo ‘s 122Million ICT Constituency Project In Obudu BY AGBA JALINGO

     

    Out of the three projects that were brought to the fore yesterday as facilitated by Hon. Legor Idagbo, the member representing our federal constituency, (Obudu/Obanliku/Bekwara), in the House of Representatives, I take the liberty to look at them one after the other. Charity begins at home as they say, so today, I will begin from my home, Obudu.

    The execution of an NCDMB ICT Center in Clement Ebri Technical School in Utugwang, Obudu was awarded to, Kresto Paco, a company based in Abuja on September 25, 2020 at a sum of N122,841,325. The work was to be completed in six months from the contract award date.

    There is a video attached here and photos of the project. We have visited the project site and observed on the spot that:

    1. Two classroom were collapsed into a bigger space, from an already existing block of eight classrooms.

    2. That space was then renovated and painted and fitted with chairs and tables.

    3. Thirty one flat screen desk top computers have been fitted in the room also.

    4. Two split unit air conditioners, solar panels, inverter, two dishes, are also installed.

    5. There is also a 20kva generator.

    6. There is an aluminum partition inside the room with three cubicles.

    7. A projector and screen are also fitted.

    Accessing the inside of the center was quite difficult because the place was still locked up possibly because it hasn’t been commissioned. But we eventually did.

    My Thoughts:

    Apart from other things I am known for, I am an ICT Entrepreneur. I have been doing that business for over a decade. Even with a casual eye view, I can cost everything in that room in 30minutes, but I will come back to that later.

    Meanwhile, let me ask our Representative Legor, if you gave someone N122million Naira to build you an ICT Center in your personal school you are building in Abuja and you return after six months to see exactly what you have in Clement Ebri Technical College in Utugwang, will you accept and pay the contractor?

    I ask that question because, as our Rep, you are expected to inspect the project and clear the contractor with a satisfactory report before the company can be paid. What report did you write for the company after completion of work?

    What exactly is the ICT Center meant to achieve?

    What is the utilization plan?

    What was the thinking behind it?

    Is it just going to be a regular business center for secretariat jobs?

    Was the NCDMB contract just meant to renovate a classroom and buy 30 computers and put inside like artifacts or is it going to be an IT innovation center where solutions will be created?

    Who was carried along, because apart from party stalwarts, even stakeholders in the community who you will think should have been abreast of the project were all feigning ignorance?

    There is only one JAMB CBT Center in Obudu/Obanliku, located inside the FCE Obudu. Should our people continue to travel that distance to write JAMB after investing 122million in an ICT center in Utugwang?

    More and more rural communities across the globe are getting access to faster Internet and using it to change their fortunes and the way they live. Tesla CEO, Elon Musk is aiming to bring high-speed Internet to largely rural areas. Most of Musk’s Starlink Internet potential customers are in rural areas outside of urban centers. Eager communities are funding these initiatives through Rural Digital Opportunity Funds, paid for by small fees on cell phone bills as part of an effort to get Internet service providers to bring broadband to them to catch up with a rapidly progressing world.

    If we now have the luck of getting government funding to achieve these targets, it is only wise and proper that we ensure the funds and judiciously utilized to that end.

    This is my Constituency and I won’t keep quiet. We will look at the other two projects in the coming days.

    I am doing this, conscious of the fact that I have also raised public money to repair a court in Ogoja and will want to be held by the same standards.

    Yours sincerely,
    Citizen Agba Jalingo.

    Disclaimer: The opinions in this article are strictly that of the author, Agba Jalingo and does not represent The Lumine News or the organization the author works for.

  • No Drinking Water In Ayade’s Village But He Wants To Plant ‘King Grasses’ For Cows, To Solve Farmers/Herders Crises In Nigeria BY AGBA JALINGO

    No Drinking Water In Ayade’s Village But He Wants To Plant ‘King Grasses’ For Cows, To Solve Farmers/Herders Crises In Nigeria BY AGBA JALINGO

     

    Governor Ayade is from Kakum village. Let me give you an abridged quote from his fellow Kakum man.

    “It is sad that despite having the number one citizen and ‘richest man in the land’ from my village, …. safe drinking water is still a luxury that nobody can afford at home.”

    “The pictures below are taken from my village – Kakum, South South Nigeria and am sure most communities around would relate. This morning, Kakum people drank from this well and will continue to do so choicelessly. As shocking as this may sound, this well is not only in the immediate community of the incumbent Executive Governor of CRS – Sir Benedict Ayade, it is on the spot (polling unit) where he regularly cast his vote……Kakum people will continue to dream of the day they won’t have to drink from this infested well and other ponds again or travel to neighbouring villages to get cleaner water for their families.”

    Justin Udie PhD, Nottingham UK, an indigene of Kakum.

    It is noteworthy that there is one other surface well in Kakum that is serving one section of the community and the one in this picture, which is about 20meters from the governor’s house. It was constructed by former President Babangida’s Directorate of Food, Roads and Rural Infrastructures (DFRRI) around 1989 and later became dilapidated until a good Samaritan came to build that wedge the boy is standing on to allow families use it again.

    There is a borehole in the governor’s compound but the mobile policemen who guard the governor’s house do not give villagers access to fetch water from there. They trek to neighboring villages to get water. Some get their water from Professor Zana Akpagu’s house in neighbouring Babuagbong village.

    That is the same person that wants to plant grasses that will feed cows and end the farmers/herders crises in Nigeria. He obviously doesn’t even understand the historical perspective, the depth and extent of the crises.

    But what can we say?

    We still have to endure this comedy and rain of brain waves for another 796 days.

    Yours sincerely,
    Citizen Agba Jalingo.

     

    Disclaimer: The opinions here are strictly that of the author, Agba Jalingo and does not represent The Lumine News or the organization the author works for.

  • Wike Did Not Abuse Ayade Or Cross River, He Raised Salient Issues That Demand Answers – Agba Jalingo

    Wike Did Not Abuse Ayade Or Cross River, He Raised Salient Issues That Demand Answers – Agba Jalingo

    Wike Stir Clear, Wike Stir Clear, Wike Stir Clear, From Where?

    Indeed, I will not allow my voice to be drowned by that sanctimonous claim that Wike in that his recent video reaction, is leading an assault on Cross River State and our governor. It is those who are urging other full grown adults not to express how they feel about Wike’s reaction to Governor Ayade’s earlier outburst that should actually be ashamed of themselves.

    When aides and Governor Ayade himself were throwing direct jabs and veiled diatribes at Wike on TV, were they actually expecting that the Rivers State governor will keep mute?

    You don’t call someone out for an open fight, the person accepts your challenge and calls you out also, then some self appointed defenders of Cross River state are on the prawl warning Wike to stir clear of Cross River as if our State is not part of Nigeria. Is there anything that legally preclude Wike from commenting on developments in Cross River? Did any law say that if you are a governor of another State, you cannot comment on the State of affairs in another?

    It is true that Wike is seeking to interfere in the politics of Cross River State but in the end, it is the people of Cross River that will determine their governor come 2023, not Wike. We have had governors in Cross River before Ayade and every succession was a tough battle for the incumbents with external interference, but in the end, it was always Cross Riverians that went to the polls to decide their leader. This time will also not be different. I think the Wike-phobia is exxaggerated.

    As for what Wike said, was he even wrong?

    He said, “I am not a 419 governor.” Implying that Ayade that he was referring to is a “419” governor. In Nigeria, 419 is obtaining something under false pretence.

    Has governor Ayade not been collecting lands up and down in the State under the false pretence of building this and that?

    Has he not made numerous promises and failed Cross Riverians?

    Has he not pretended to cry on TV and the things he cries about never change afterwards?

    Wike also said, he declosed Rivers state’s share of the money FG refunded to the State for the construction of federal roads in the State and wondered if Ayade did same. Is Wike lying? Has Ayade disclosed to Cross Riverians how much was refunded to Cross River State and what it has been used for or will be used for?

    Wike talked about Ayade selling our forest reserves as timber. Is that a lie? Our forest, the largest rain forest in West Africa, is ferociously depleted by criminal timber cartels who daily carry truck loads of illegal timber for sale with the active connivance of State government and security officials. The governor has appointed numerous SAs and PAs on Forestry, who have no other job specification than to depend on illegal logging for survival. Till today, we have no knowledge of what happened to the timber that was harvested from the portion of the Super Highway that was cleared before the project was abandoned.

    Wike also mentioned the scandalous budgets that our governor has signed in the past five years. No matter the professorial grammar you want to use, it was never going to be possible for a State that earns barely N50billion as allocation to meet an annual budget of over a trillion Naira. Those highfalutin figures were not only unrealistic, they were actually hallucinatory and the governor has abandoned that path himself. So what is the lie that Wike told?

    Those urging us to go up in arms against Wike for insulting our State, what exactly did he say that is a lie or are you just angry with the manner he said it?

    Since #TeamAyade had already dared Wike and vowed that they were ready for a fight, they should go right into the ring and respond to Wike, allegation for allegation and stop whining. Wike did not abuse or insult Ayade or Cross River, he raised salient issues that demand answers. That is what I want to hear. Not anyone telling me, an adult, how to react to what Wike said.

    In a State where most of the citizenry is cowed by fear and stomach infrastructure, where the political class have lost their voices to complicity in the rot, if Wike and Ayade’s unusual style of open peer review is the mechanism that will stir the nest in our State, so be it. Let the roforofo continue. Afterall, both are not radically different.

    Yours sincerely,
    Citizen Agba Jalingo.

  • The Nuisance Of Scary Cat Politicians By Vena Ikem

    The Nuisance Of Scary Cat Politicians By Vena Ikem

     

    It is laughable that I am being informed today that there has been an announcement on Radio that Gov Ayade’s sponsored Exco, led by One Okadigbo “won” in the recent Judgment of the Court of Appeal, Calabar! Nothing can be farther from truth!

    It is shameful to say the least. Some have quoted him as saying ” it’s politics” !
    Sorry it’s not ” politics”! It’s the working of a criminal mind.

    1. The judgment of the Court of Appeal said absolutely nothing about the already sworn in Exco at the wards and local govt levels.

    2. Okadigbo or whatever they call him was not a party to the suit and could not have”won” any case as he claims and is extorting money from unsuspecting members of the Public as the sole candidate of the party for the Chairmanship position of the party in CRS!

    3. I am appealing that judgment to the Supreme Court as he knows, because it is strictly about my purported disqualification to contest against him, which fear is driving him crazy and nothing more! If he says otherwise, let him produce the Court judgment that says so and I will withdraw from the race for him! I have a certified true copy of the judgment!

    4. Please, if you know him advise him to be a man and come for the contest for the position of Chairman of PDP in Cross River State, with all of Ayade’s support, instead of hoping and praying for a no contest so that he will emerge unopposed.
    That’s not about to happen!

    5. All the juju in his village will not be enough to change that. We are not all like Gov. Ayade that is allegedly susceptible to such occultic manipulations!

    6. All the billions of Naira of Cross River State money Gov. Ayade is allegedly wasting and continues to waste have not changed anything and will not change anything.

    Let the people have their say!

    Vena Ikem.

  • Six Months Ago, Agba Jalingo Wrote: Why Justice Simon Amobeda Should Leave Cross River And Exit The Bench

    Six Months Ago, Agba Jalingo Wrote: Why Justice Simon Amobeda Should Leave Cross River And Exit The Bench

    (This opinion was written 6 months ago.)

    A court order from the vacation judge of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, has stopped INEC from recognizing any candidate of the PDP for the Cross River Northern Senatorial by-election scheduled for October 31, 2020.

    Vacation for federal high courts ends tomorrow Friday September 25 and federal high courts are meant to resume in Monday September 28.

    But while the matter is still pending in Port Harcourt, Governor Ayade went forum shopping for an injunction for his preferred candidate to be announced. He went to his friend, Justice Simon Akpa Amobeda of the Federal High Court in Calabar.

    Fiam, Justice Amobeda arrived Calabar on Sunday and on Monday 21st September, granted an injunction in favor of Ayade’s preferred candidate and ordered INEC to include the candidate’s name as the rightful candidate pending the determination of the motion on notice before him. This is happening during vacation. In broad daylight.

    When were the processes filed?

    Hon. Justices I.M. Sani and I.O. Oshomah are the two vacation judges in the South South. How on earth was it possible for Justice Simon Amobeda to sit during vacation when he is not a vacation judge?

    Was Justice Amobeda granted fiat to sit during vacation?

    What special interest does Justice Amobeda have in Cross River politics?

    He has played so many controversial roles in partisan political scenarios in our State that leaves much to be desired.

    He is the same judge who, on the eve of the contest, said APC did not have a candidate for the 2019 governorship election.

    He is the same judge that threw out Barrister First Baba Isa’s suit challenging the illegal creation of ministries on the exclusive list by Governor Ayade.

    He is the judge that gives all the pro Ayade judgments in Cross River State.

    Justice Simon Amobeda appears to have become a tool in the hands of Governor Ayade to thwart the wishes of the good people of Cross River State.

    I’m glad a petition has gone out to NJC again against Amobeda. Let more follow. He needs to tell the public how that injunction was granted when courts are not sitting.

    Yours sincerely,
    Citizen Agba Jalingo.

    Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are strictly that of the writer, Agba Jalingo and does not represent The Lumine News or the organization the author works for.

  • Jarigbe Agom Vs Stephen Odey: The Favour Factor By First Baba Isa

    Jarigbe Agom Vs Stephen Odey: The Favour Factor By First Baba Isa

     

    Now, that I have read the full majority decision of the Supreme Court and the full minority decision of the Supreme Court, I make these comments.

    Jarigbe Agom has claimed several times that his battle is of the Lord, I’m beginning to see that. There is no way to explain what happened at the Supreme Court without ascribing it to the divine. The opposition handed him that victory on a platter of gold.

    Let me explain.

    1. That I love Jarigbe Agom is an open secret. Most people even think I’m one of his lawyers, on his pay roll, but I’m not. I was not that fortunate. 😀 I openly supported him in this fight simply because I felt and still feel that he was pushed into the battlefield. I feel the leaders of the PDP in Cross River State brought this unnecessary intra party fight upon themselves. My adumbrations on this is well known and well documented.

    2. Somehow I thought Jarigbe will win the legal battles about the authentic list, who is the party candidate and who was elected. I prayed for him to win. I wished I was even part of his legal team, even if it is pro bono. This is because I saw him as the underdog; I always support underdogs, I always want underdogs to win.

    3. So, as each of Jarigbe’s legal victories was announced, I celebrated, I congratulated him.

    4. However, when the Court of Appeal upheld the decision of the FCT High Court ordering INEC to issue Jarigbe certificate of return as the duly elected senator representing Cross River State Northern Senatorial District, I went into a panicked celebration. I even wrote a piece where I expressed my fear that Jarigbe was at the cusp of winning big or losing it all.

    5. Why was I worried? It was clear as crystal to any lawyer who is not totally blinded by partisan politics that that decision cannot stand because necessary parties (PDP and Stephen Odey) were not joined. I didn’t say this much but I was 200% sure that the Supreme Court will throw it out. In fact, I was simply waiting for this to happen. That’s why I advised strongly against Jarigbe being sworn in before the determination of the case at the Supreme Court. I was worried he will lose his seat as House member and then still get thrown out as senator. There were still other ways (including the Election Tribunal) that he could still had bounced back; but I didn’t want him losing it all before bouncing back.

    6. When Stephen Odey appealed, I was like “oh my God, it’s gonna happen. Jarigbe can’t win this one.” First, appealing wasn’t the first best option I saw for Stephen, but appeal was the second best and his lawyers choose appeal. I wonder why they didn’t choose the first but well, it doesn’t matter, Jarigbe won’t survive the Supreme Court anyways.

    7. Of course, I didn’t shout about my fear and conviction that Jarigbe won’t survive Supreme Court; I didn’t want to dampen morale and I still hoped that he will come out victorious. In fact, I told my friend, Joseph Ishaje, that Jarigbe will only win at the Supreme Court if Stephen Odey and his lawyers make a grave mistake. And this is exactly what happened!

    8. Stephen Odey made that grave mistake. They failed to serve the notice of appeal properly. And when they were caught in the act, they attempted to correct it “fraudulently”; the majority of the Supreme Court Justices saw through it all and struck out the appeal.

    9. The minority of Supreme Court Justices who looked at the substantive appeal upheld it and overturned the decision of the Court of Appeal on the grounds I feared they would: the FCT High Court lacked jurisdiction because proper parties were not joined.

    10. The Supreme Court minority decision on the substantive appeal is sound and the majority decision striking out the Notice of Appeal is also very sound. In the end Jarigbe won. He won by the costly mistake of Dr Stephen Odey or what I see as favour from God. The appeal was struck out and the statutory period to relist has elapsed. So, the judgement of the Court of Appeal stands and the certificate of return issued to Rt Hon Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe remains valid.

    11. This looks more like God’s favour when you consider the fact that Stephen Odey was represented by the legal god of election petition. The revered SAN doesn’t make those kind of mistakes. Even the Justice who read the lead judgement insinuated this much.

    12. So, why has Jarigbe not been sworn in? Why is Stephen Odey turning round to say the judgement he appealed doesn’t apply to him? All those ones na politics. If politicians can play politics with people’s lives, is it judgement of the Supreme Court they can’t play politics with?

    13. Is it over for Stephen Odey? From where I stand, there is still a lot of legal tiki taka to be played on this issue, but trying to stop Jarigbe Agom from being sworn in through letter writing by lawyers is not one of them.

    – Written By First Baba Isa (FBI), a Legal Practitioner, based in Abuja.

    Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are strictly that of the author, First Baba Isa and does not represent The Lumine News or the organization the author works for.

  • Sandy Onor’s Heroism And Patriotic Leadership By Ori Owan

    Sandy Onor’s Heroism And Patriotic Leadership By Ori Owan

     

    It was the famous English playwright, William Shakespeare who postulated that “to be honest as this world goes is to be one man picked out of ten thousand.” And one man picked out of ten thousand as Escriva Balaguer succinctly averred, “must sanctify his work, and sanctify others through his good works”.

    Distinguished Senator Professor Sandy Onor is one man picked by God to lead and to redeem humanity. Amongst millions, he has the crown of stewardship placed on his shoulders. Amongst his contemporaries, he distinguished himself in brilliance, oratory, character of politics. Amongst his counterparts, he has become a shining model. Amongst his kinsmen, he remains the light, pathfinder and touch-bearer. In fact, he has restored dignity and pride to the good people of Cross River Central. He has totally redefined and sanctified the business of politics, with seemingly hopeless and shattered dreams, revived. In addition to this, his functional competence has become a reference point in many climes around the world.

    It is worthy of note that several undeveloped communities which hitherto were in darkness, have been taken out of the wilderness by virtue of Sandy Onor’s unparalleled performance in all spheres of life. These tangible achievements have made several Nigerians to describe him, and correctly so, as the functional ship with the largest “rudder on the wide-open sea”. This is in view of the developmental strides that characterize his quality of leadership and representation in the past years. As a symbol of peace, he plays his politics without mudslinging, which has made it possible for him to reconcile several political factions in his immediate constituency and in other senatorial districts of the state. Indeed, he has inspired and sustained confidence in his followers and this is the reason why he has become more like a beautiful bride with many potential suitors. Unlike many politicians who are deserted, Sandy Onor moves with a mammoth crowd wherever he goes, especially on his regular visits to his constituency.

    Like him or hate him, Distinguished Senator Sandy Onor is a seasoned legislator, a quintessential Patriot, and a crown jewel of inestimable value. His character and leadership style clearly smack of true statesmanship. And by words, deeds, and actions, he speaks truth to power and performs accordingly.

    Thus, from the ancient hills of Obanliku to the seas of Bakassi, Professor Senator Sandy Onor is without a stint of doubt, one of the most peaceful, responsible, and outstanding politicians in Nigeria’s fourth republic. This is because he is the first politician who has given the common men and women, who constitute the hoi poloi of the society, the pride of place in representation. He does this by visiting his constituents regularly to feel their pulse. He is so simple but disciplined to the extent that he runs an open-door policy around his home and office. What manner of a man is Senator Sandy Onor!

    However, Senator Onor’s socio-economic policies and programmes have reduced poverty to the barest minimum. His financial support to both small and medium scale enterprises have gone a long way to revive several businesses within and around the state. On infrastructural development, Sandy Onor has left profound legacies in the rural communities of the Central Senatorial District of Cross River State. Projects are executed and commissioned routinely across the local government areas of the district. As an efficient and uniquely gifted Senator, he awards his contracts in line with international best practices, and supervises same from start to finish. In fact, Senator Sandy Onor made a vow that he will never leave any project abandoned, hence, with nearly two years in power, he has convinced his constituents that he is indeed the Original Caterpillar and the “Irrunandu of Ejagham Nation”.

    In his legislative responsibility, he has performed excellently, with several important bills and motions to his credit. His unparalleled intellect, foresight, and vision leave many erstwhile leaders and followers in utter amazement as to whether Distinguished Senator Professor Onor was born in a different world. All these, in the considered opinion of this writer, remains the reason why he is rising higher and higher through the ladder of leadership with the determination to pull Cross Riverians out of the tinderbox. This is possible in line with Senator Onor’s commitment to justice, equity, poverty reduction, and infrastructural development for the present and future generations.

    Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are strictly that of Ori Owan and does not represent The Lumine News or the organization the author works for.

  • Governorship Zoning Process In Cross River State Politics: The True Position From Our Institution Library And Archives – Joe Bisong

    Governorship Zoning Process In Cross River State Politics: The True Position From Our Institution Library And Archives – Joe Bisong

     

    From the fits and starts of intervening Civilian and Military rule of decades past, democracy finally settled and stabilised in Nigeria in I999. Since then, to present day it has been unbroken civilian rule. It is therefore a given and common sense that when Cross Riverians talk of ZONING OF THE GOVERNORSHIP OF THE STATE, such dates back to 1999.

    1.ZONING in Cross River State has neither been a FORMALISED NOR INSTITUTIONALISED ARRANGEMENT. Although the three Senatorial Districts of the State have each produced a Governor dating back to Mr Donald Duke (South), Sen Liyel Imoke(Central),
    Sen Prof Ben Ayade(North), at no time has the political class of Cross River State, either intra Party or inter Party, institutionalised or enacted on the modus operandi or modus vivendi of the Rotational Governorship basis for the three Senatorial Districts! This is why in virtually all Gubernatorial elections, both intra Party and inter Party, ALL SENATORIAL DISTRICTS HAD CONTESTED!

    2.Rather, ROTATION HAS BEEN THE TREND BASED ON THE SIMPLE AND CONVENTIONAL PROCESS OF SELF ELIMINATION! Once a given Senatorial District got the Governorship for eight years, it eliminated itself from eligibility from the succeeding contest that followed. Such has the wily nilly process of ROTATION BY SELF ELIMINATION evolved that has seen all three Senatorial Districts get the Governorship and accordingly,all have been duly placated!

    3.This first circle of Rotation by self elimination ends in May 2023; and a new circle of same Rotation by self elimination commences . Accordingly, we shall provide proof to our assertion that conventionally, IT HAS BEEN AN ALL COMERS AFFAIR FOR ALL THREE SENATORIAL DISTRICTS IN ANY GIVEN GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION and that Rotation has been based on self elimination of the immediate Senatorial District that just left office after eight years; but not on any formal or institutionalised process!

    4. In 1999 intra Party Primaries in PDP, Mr Donald Duke from the South ran the Governorship Primaries with Barr Kanu Agabi from the North, while Prof Eyo Etim Nyong from the South ran with Mr Mark Ukpo from the North in APP.

    The Governorship election of 1999 was ultimately between Donald Duke from the South and Mark Ukpo from the North.

    5.In 2003,the Governorship election was between Mr Donald Duke of the PDP from the South and Chief John Okpa of the APP from Central.

    6.In 2007, the PDP Governorship Primaries was between Sen Liyel Imoke from Central and Mr Walter Eneji and Dr Julius Okputu from the North. The Governorship election proper of 2007 was between Sen Liyel Imoke of PDP from Central versus Prof Eyo Etim Nyong from South and Paul Ukpo from the North

    7. In fact, it is worth mentioning in retrospect, that even after Sen Liyel Imoke of Central had won the Governorship election in 2007, the North in Ukpo, engaged the Central in prolonged and convoluted litigation at the Election Tribunal that saw
    Imoke’s victory annulled twice.
    8. In 2011,Imoke from Central ran again for his second term against Eyo Etim Nyong, Ima Isa Adegoke(Labour Party),both from the South and Dr Onyuike(Accord Party), Mary Ekpre(CPC), Goddy Akpama (PPA) and Usani Usani(ACN)from the Central.

    9.Then, finally came the present tenure which dated back to 2019. The Governorship election was between Sen Prof Ben Ayade from the North, Sen John Owan Enoh from Central and BARR EYO EKPO FROM SOUTH! In fact, it is instructive to note that Barr Eyo Ekpo, then a renowned stalwart of PDP, decamped from PDP to Social Democratic Party (SDP) only for the purpose of running the 2019 Governorship election.

    10.Conclusively therefore, as it was in the beginning, and now is, so shall it be in 2023 Cross River State Governorship Election! To whom God wills, let the power fall, then the conventional or normative process of ZONING BY SELF ELIMINATION FOR THE THREE SENATORIAL DISTRICTS starts from there and then again in this new circle.

    Chief Joe Obi Bisong is the former State Publicity Secretary of PDP, Cross River State Chapter

     

    Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are strictly that of the author, Joe Obi Bisong and did not represent The Lumine News or the organization the author works for.