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  • Converting Our Secretariat To APC Is Illegal, Immature Politicking – PDP

    Converting Our Secretariat To APC Is Illegal, Immature Politicking – PDP

    By Admin

    STATEMENT ISSUED AT THE WORLD PRESS CONFERENCE HELD BY THE PDP CARETAKER COMMITTEE, CROSS RIVER STATE, IN REACTION TO EVENTS FOLLOWING THE DEFECTION OF GOVERNOR BEN AYADE TO THE APC

    1. On Thursday, the 20th of May, 2021, Senator Ben Ayade, Governor of Cross River State elected on the platform of our party the PDP, defected to the APC. His defection was unprovoked. The reason given by the governor for his action being his admiration for the way President Buhari is running the affairs of the country with absolute integrity. It is Buhari’s sterling management of the Nigerian economy and the affairs of the country in general, especially the handling of herdsmen farmers crisis, that so impressed Governor Ben Ayade that he feels drawn to support the President by decamping to the APC.

    2. Members of the PDP in Cross River State, even nationally, are not in the least surprised by Governor Ayade’s decision to decamp; he openly admitted that he has been sitting on the fence and dancing. We are relieved that the Governor has finally, we hope, come down from the fence on the side of the APC. This will allow our party some space to regenerate the internal peace and cohesion that existed in the Cross River PDP family before Governor Ayade happened upon us. We respect Governor Ayade’s choice and wish him and the APC peace and equanimity.

    3. On 22nd May, 2021, two days after defecting from our party, Governor Ayade, now a full-fledged APC member, invaded the state secretariat of PDP at 42A Murtala Mohamed Highway, Calabar, with thugs under the cover of armed men of the Nigerian Police force, Cross River Command. Governor Ayade forcefully took over the secretariat and on his instructions the building has now been repainted in the colours of the APC. We understand that the building now serves as one of the several state secretariats of the APC in Calabar. The building currently stands, under guard by the police, painted in APC colours, flying the APC flags, as monumental signpost of impunity, political rascality and absolute disregard for law and order.

    4. We had earlier raised alarm that vital documents, sensitive party membership registers and other facilities are being carted away or destroyed. That situation has not abated.

    5. This building has served as the state secretariat of PDP for over 22 years; it was the secretariat of the PDP even before Governor Ayade joined PDP. The current rent for the property has been paid and the tenancy of PDP subsists. The rent receipts issued to our party, in the name of PDP, are available in proof. The Lessor who rented the property to the PDP, has issued a statement to the effect that PDP is the lawful tenant, and there is not arrangement to have APC as tenant on the property. Clearly the invasion and occupation of the building is immature politics, unnecessary provocation and outrightly illegal.

    6. In an official statement from his Chief Press Secretary, Governor Ayade defended his invasion of the PDP secretariat on the ground that he paid the rent for the current year. We do not know who governor Ayade gave money to; he can ask for his refund because PDP paid the rents and we have the rent receipts to show. Governor Ayade can bring his own proof of payment. Neither Governor Ayade nor the APC are privy to the tenancy agreement between the PDP and the Lessor.

    7. Even if PDP were in breach of any term of the tenancy (which we are not), there are laid down processes and procedure for ejection of tenants and recovery of premises which need to be followed. A third party has no right to forcefully move in and occupy a building with a sitting tenant still in lawful possession. It may be necessary for Governor Ayade to seek some education in this elementary area of law so he may mitigate his embarrassment.

    8. Upon decamping to APC Governor Ayade declared pompously that in Cross River once the Governor moves everyone follows. To Governor Ayade’s consternation and embarrassment, nobody followed. Governor Ayade has now adopted unconstitutional methods to compel his cabinet and appointees, and other public office holders to follow him to the APC against their choice of remaining in PDP. Members of the House of Assembly have been offered 2 million naira and an SUV each if they agree to decamp. Commissioners in Ayade’s cabinet are being offered 3 million naira and a car each to defect to the APC. Local government chairmen and councillors are under threat of removal from office unless they defect. All appointees of the governor have been instructed to produce their APC membership cards before they can receive salaries.

    9. The defection of Governor Ayade to APC is to cost Cross Riverians 2 Billion naira. This is what Ayade needs to buy defectors from even his cabinet to follow him to the APC. Even this filthy lucre put forward by Governor Ayade is not enough to compel obedience as several commissioners from his cabinet, and majority of members of the House of Assembly and other political office holders have elected to reject the Greek gift and stay with the people of Cross River State in PDP.

    10. Governor Ayade can readily expend 2 billion naira to fund his defection to APC because he has ready cash from the almost 19 Billion naira recently paid to Cross River state as refund for federal road maintenance undertaken by the PDP administrations of Governors Donald Duke and Liyel Imoke. Governor Ayade has refused to declare this money to the people of Cross River state and is frittering it away on purposes other than the common good of Cross Riverians.

    11. We call on Governor Ayade to declare this 19 billion which is the single largest revenue flow to Cross River State since the creation of the state, and to apply same in infrastructure like rural roads, urban road network and water which benefits the common man. We are all embarrassed that governor Ayade inherited the best public water supply systems developed by the PDP administrations of Governors Donald Duke and Liyel Imoke across the state, and has allowed them today to all fall into disrepair. Our people have gone back to streams and wells for water.

    12. Magistrates in Cross River state have been demonstrating at the gate of Governor Ayade’s office demanding 2 years unpaid salaries. Two days ago teachers were on the streets of Calabar demonstrating in demand for 5 years of unpaid salaries. Pensioners in their old age were forced to block the Murtala Mohamed Highway in protest for non payment of pensions. This is at a time that Governor Ayade received almost 19 billion windfall from the federal government.

    13. Governor Ayade’s exuberance to impress the APC leadership has led him down this path of impunity, illegality and flagrant abuse of the mandate of the people of Cross River state. But as Governor Ayade plunders the state ostensibly to please the APC, we notice the deafening silence from the state and national leadership of the APC. Silence means acquiescence; an endorsement of the shenanigans being perpetrated on behalf of the APC by Governor Ayade. The people of Cross River State now know how the APC intends to run the affairs of the state and are getting ready for the worst.

    14. We again appeal to the APC leadership to call Governor Ayade to order and remind him that Nigeria is a country governed by laws in spite of nation’s experience in the last 6 years. While we continue to appeal to our teeming party members to remain calm in the face of extreme provocation, this should not be interpreted as a sign of weakness or cowardice. We are acutely aware of all the legal remedies available to us in the circumstances, and we intend to engage the appropriate processes to propagate the rights and interest of our party.

    15. The Cross River State police command provided cover for thugs sent by Governor Ayade to invade the PDP secretariat and forcefully occupy same. Currently the police have stationed an armoured personnel carrier (APC) at the gate of the PDP secretariat. In an official statement, the police command explained their actions; that the police were merely giving cover to the owners of the building to carry our renovation works on the building.

    16. Certainly, the Cross River state police command know that the building has been the secretariat of PDP for 22 years. The police have also received letters of protest from the PDP; the police now know that they were hired to give cover while the crimes of unlawful entry, criminal trespass, malicious damage to property, theft and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, were being committed at the PDP secretariat. It tells badly on police intelligence gathering if as at today police claim to still be ignorant of the fact that they have been misused to aid criminality. The continuous presence of the police till date at the PDP secretariat signifies active mischief, rather than honest mistake, on the part of the police.

    17. We therefore call on the police authorities to call their officers and men to order, and focus attention on the apolitical responsibilities of the police.

    18. We thank the people of Cross River state, and Nigerians in general, for overwhelmingly standing by the PDP, and for pledging continuous support to the party. We are particularly elated at the show of solidarity with the party and assure fellow Cross Riverians that the development agenda which the PDP pursued under Governors Donald Duke and Liyel Imoke will be restored after the Ben Ayade era.

    LONG LIVE THE PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC PARTY
    LONG LIVE CROSS RIVER STATE

    Signed:
    Mr Effiok Cobham
    Chairman, PDP Caretaker Committee
    Cross River State

  • ICYMI: Jarigbe Slams Senate President For Rudderless

    ICYMI: Jarigbe Slams Senate President For Rudderless

    By Mike Odiegwu, The Nation Newspaper

    A member of the House of Representatives, Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, has described the Senate under Senate President Ahmed Lawan as rudderless.

    In an advertorial, Jarigbe said the problem of the ninth National Assembly is the Senate President whom he accused of desecrating the sanctity of the legislative institution through his actions and inactions.

    Jarigbe said: “The seeming epileptic nature of the legislature in Nigeria cannot be unconnected to a compromised leadership in the Senate. Nigerians attack legislators over the state of the nation, for not playing its role, as an arm of government. The House of Representatives has its role, separate from the Senate.”

    He explained that “the problem of the ninth National Assembly is the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan. It is not about protecting the ruling APC, because the APC’s House of Representatives members led by Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, are also very protective of this government and the APC.”

    He noted that “the Senate President’s shortcomings have nothing to do with loyalty to the APC-led government, but deliberate acts of compromise and incompetence.

    On the recent decision by the 17 Southern governors calling for restructuring of the country, Jarigbe questioned the Senate President’s opposition, asking “How can we have a Senate President that is opposed to the restructuring of a country that is at its precipice? The governors of the South came together and unanimously took a position and Lawan thinks that it can be swept under the carpet? It is impossible.”

    On the way forward, Jarigbe suggested that “all the governors in this country should meet with the leadership of the legislative arm, beyond party lines. This will provide for a proper interface. Let us remember that the governors of the south are a blend of APC, PDP and APGA. It is beyond Party lines. Let us be careful with sensitive issues.”

    On the refusal by the Senate President to inaugurate him as the winner of the Cross River North Senatorial by-election despite a subsisting apex court ruling, Jarigbe said “The Senate President has also shown clearly that he abhors legally by allowing an illegal occupant of a Senate seat, to be attending plenary, after the Supreme Court has given a judgment that ousted him.

    “A man is attending plenary with a Certificate of Return that has been invalidated by the issuance of a new Certificate of Return to a new Senator-elect by INEC, in line with a Judgment of Court. My greatest dismay, is the fact that, other Senators, of proven integrity, sit and watch the sanctity of the hallowed Chamber, desecrated.”

  • Gov Ayade Approves Interactive Session With Stakeholders

    Gov Ayade Approves Interactive Session With Stakeholders

     

    The Cross River State Governor, His Excellency, Senator Ben Ayade has approved interactive meetings with stakeholders across all stratas of government.

    In a statement signed by his Senior Special Adviser on Political Affairs, Ntufam Dr Peter Ojie, the underlisted stakeholders have been scheduled to meet as follows:

    Tuesday, May 25, 2021
    Members of the CRS House of Assembly
    Venue: Gov’t House.
    Time: 10am

    Wednesday, May 26, 2021
    Special Advisers
    Venue: Exco Chambers
    Time: 1pm

    Wednesday, May 26, 2021
    Snr. Special Assistants/Special Assistant
    Venue Exco Chambers
    Time: 3pm

    Thursday, May 27, 2021
    Chairmen of LGAs/Councillors
    Venue: Exco Chambers
    Time: 1pm

    Date: Thursday, May 27, 2021
    DGs/Chairman of Boards/Members
    Venue: Exco Chambers
    Time: 3pm

    Date: Friday, May 28, 2021
    Party Executive(States & LGA)
    Venue: Peregrino Hall
    Time: 1pm

    Please treat as very important.

  • Ayade’s Defection: PDP Dissolves, Replaces Cross River State Caretaker Committee

    Ayade’s Defection: PDP Dissolves, Replaces Cross River State Caretaker Committee

    By Admin
    The National Working Committee of the People’s Democratic Party PDP, has dissolved the State Caretaker Committee for the Cross River State Chapter of the party.
    In a release signed by the National Publicity of the Party, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, and sighted by TheLumineNews, named a ten man committee headed by the immediate past Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Mr. Effiok Cobham to oversea the affairs of the party.

    The release reads in full “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on behalf of the National Executive Committee (NEC), has approved the dissolution of the State Caretaker Committee for the Cross River state chapter of the party

    “The decision is in pursuant to the powers conferred on the NWC by the PDP Constitution.

    “Consequently, the NWC has constituted a new State Caretaker Committee to pilot the affairs of the chapter of the party at the state level

    “The members of the new State Caretaker Committee for Cross River state are as follows:

    “Barr. Efiok Cobham (Chairman)
    Barr. Attah Ochinke
    Dr. Uke Enun
    Prof. Walter Mboto
    Hon. Rita Ayim (Publicity Secretary)
    Hon. Mike Usibe
    Hon. Christopher Ekpo
    Mr. Victor Effiom Okon
    Prince K.J. Agba
    Hon. Eko Atu (Secretary)

    “All other structure of the party at the local government and ward levels in the state remain intact.

    Signed:

    “Kola Ologbondiyan
    National Publicity Secretary”

     

  • Obudu State House Rep, Hon. Maria Akwaji Joins APC

    Obudu State House Rep, Hon. Maria Akwaji Joins APC

    By Admin

    The member representing Obudu State Constituency in the Cross River State House of Assembly, Hon. Maria Akwaji has announced her defection from the People’s Democratic Party PDP, to the All Progressive Congress APC.

    The law maker made this known following the announcement of the Governor of his defection from PDP to APC earlier today in Calabar, the Cross River State Capital.

    Speaking to TheLumineNews, Hon. Maria Akwaji averred that her loyalty is to the Governor, and pledged her commitment to effective service delivery to her constituents.

  • Ogoja Diocese Centenary Celebration: Sen. Sandy Onor Receives Papal Recognition

    Ogoja Diocese Centenary Celebration: Sen. Sandy Onor Receives Papal Recognition

    By Caterpillar Media Team

    The Holy Father and Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis 1, has specially recognized distinguished Senator Sandy Onor on the occasion of the Centenary celebration of the Catholic Church in Ogoja Diocese on Friday, 14th May 2021 at St. Benedict’s Cathedral for his selfless, passionate, tremendous contributions and humble devotion to the growth of the Roman Catholic Church in the diocese.

    The Award was conveyed to the Bishop of Ogoja Diocese, His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Donatus E. Akpan by the Papal Nuncio to Nigeria, His Excellency, Arch Bishop Antonio Guido Fillipazzi and was presented to the senator by the Catholic Bishop of Gboko Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. William Avenya.

    The Papal award is the highest category of awards presented during the centenary celebration and the lawmaker was considered for this award after a careful review of his antecedence.

    Reacting to the award while filing questions from journalists, the elated and cerebral Sen. Sandy Onor averred that “we take this award very seriously as an honor from the priests who are representatives of God and as an honor from God.

    “The consequence therefore is that we are expected by the Church to do more whatever we are doing to get the recognition of the Church. The recognition shows that we are on the part to gaining salvation or else, at the end of the day, all is vanity”

    Speaking further, the lawmaker congratulated the Church, the Clergy and all the laity that worked to bring the gospel to where it is today, “I want to congratulate the Church, the forerunners, the Clergy and all the laity that worked with them at the time when it was so difficult. They are examples of faith and works, for faith and works goes together”

    Sen. Onor used the opportunity to stress that, the award is a call for those of them in leadership to redoubled their efforts to make the country work. “And for those of us who are in power today and for the country, it makes us redouble our efforts to make the country works, Nigeria is a beautiful place.

    “When we look for result and work as diligently as our forefathers worked, all other things will be added unto us. Congratulations to all of us”.

    Other awardees during the celebration include but not limited to the Former Senate Leader, Distinguished Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba OFR CON SAN, former Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Martin Elechi, Brigadier General Anthony Ukpo, Rtd, Bishop of Uyo Diocese, Bishop *John Ayah, Nigerian Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonaya Onu, former Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi SAN and others.

    The Arch Bishop Emeritus of Abuja Diocese,  Cardinal John Onayekan, the Local Ordinary and Bishop of Umuahia Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji and Bishop of Gboko Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. William Avenya were among the religious leaders that graced the occasion.

  • Eid-El-Fitri: C’River Speaker Celebrates With Muslims, Urges Them to Support Government With Prayers

    Eid-El-Fitri: C’River Speaker Celebrates With Muslims, Urges Them to Support Government With Prayers

     

    The Speaker, Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Eteng Jonah Williams celebrates with the entire Muslim faithful in the state and across the country, on the successful completion of this year’s Ramadan Fast.

    In a statement signed by the Media Adviser to the Speaker, Hope Obeten, Rt. Hon. Eteng Jonah Williams also wishes faithful Muslims abundant rewards and blessings, praying that the Almighty Allah give them long live to witness many more of Ramadan.

    The Speaker admonished Muslims to continue to support the State and Federal governments with prayers to overcome challenges of security, pandemic and economy to bring about more developments across all sectors.

    “I wish to heartily congratulate our brothers and sisters in Islam on the occasion of the successful completion of Ramadan Fast and ‘Eid-El-Fitri, as we celebrate, I urge everyone, regardless of your religious beliefs, to continue to keep the peace and to live in unity with one another,” Mr. Speaker said.

    Expressing the hope that the lessons of sacrifice, self-discipline, tolerance, kindness, good neighbourliness and empathy towards others as embedded in the holy month of Ramadan would abide beyond the month of abstinence, he further urged.

    “As we celebrate, let us remember that moderation is important. We should not let down our guards in the observance of COVID-19 protocols. Let us also remember the poor and less privileged people in our midst and extend a hand of love and support to them,” he said.

    The Speaker congratulated Muslims and wished them a blissful Ramadan.

  • Eid-el-Fitr Celebration: Sen. Sandy Onor Felicitates with Muslims, Calls for Peaceful Coexistence

    Eid-el-Fitr Celebration: Sen. Sandy Onor Felicitates with Muslims, Calls for Peaceful Coexistence

     

    As Muslims across the world mark the successful completion of the month-long Ramadan fasting, the senator representing Cross River Central Senatorial District, Senator Prof. Sandy Ojang Onor has felicitated with Muslim faithfuls across the District, State and Nation at large while calling for peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.

    In a goodwill message sighted by TheLumineNews, Sen. Onor commended Muslims faithfuls for a successful conclusion of this year’s Ramadan on a good note despite the current security challenges facing the nation.

    The message reads in parts “lt’s rewarding to commend our Muslims brothers and sisters for their adherence to the holy scripture through dedicated fasting, charitable sacrifices and steadfastness in the midst of subversive actions and intentions intended to create a weak and vulnerable system in our polity by rabble-rousing elements.”

    The lawmaker further held that: “When we uphold and practice the teachings of our holy books, love, peace and tolerance would reign amongst us. And as the Holy Month of Ramadan offered us a fresh opportunity to deepen and strengthen our relationship with Allah, it’s also an opportunity for us to promote love, tolerance and peaceful coexistence amongst ourselves. On behalf of my family and the good people of Cross River Central Senatorial District, I wish you Allah’s continuous guidance and protection, Amen.”

  • FG Reintroduces COVID-19 Restrictions, Shuts Bars, Recreational Centres, Limits Public Gatherings

    FG Reintroduces COVID-19 Restrictions, Shuts Bars, Recreational Centres, Limits Public Gatherings

    Culled From Chanel’s Tv 

     

    The Federal Government has reintroduced COVID-19 restrictions across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    This new directive is to take effect by midnight of Tuesday, a member of the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19, Dr Mukhtar Mohammed, declared.

    Mohammed, who is the Head of Technical Secretariat of the PSC, made the announcement while briefing reporters on Monday in Abuja.

    With the restrictions imposed, mass gatherings in public spaces have been restricted to 50 people at any given time.

    Access to government institutions would also be denied to anyone not wearing a face mask while government meetings and travels have been limited to the virtual platform.

    According to Mohammed, the government has directed that bars and nightclubs should remain closed and the nationwide curfew will be in force until further notice.

    He added that only essential international travels would be encouraged, and all existing protocols must be strictly adhered to.

    The PSC member, however, stated that there was no limitation to intra-state travel.

  • Why The Authentic List Of PDP Ward And Chapter Exco Is Sacrosant BY JARIGBE AGOM JARIGBE

    Why The Authentic List Of PDP Ward And Chapter Exco Is Sacrosant BY JARIGBE AGOM JARIGBE

     

    I have watched patiently from the sidelines as our party is being dragged and muddled in the mud by persons whose sole intentions are to cause commotion within the party and destroy it perpetually before eventually moving to another party they’d been hobnobbing with in the last few years.

    To prevent our party from imploding, I have therefore, decided to speak out to project my voice of reason on why we must embrace the rule of law, equity and justice to resolve the lingering issues rather than continuing on the current arbitrariness and authoritarianism which we have all seen to be counter productive.

    It is my well considered opinion that, the subsisting result of the the PDP Ward and Chapter Congresses in CRS is Sacrosanct and must not be tempered with under any guise or pretensions. The reason for towing this line of action fastidiously is that the congresses followed due processes and were conducted in line with the guidelines of the PDP and monitored by INEC as required by law.

    The Authentic list was ratified by the NWC of the Party and Certified by INEC. Today, as I write, both INEC and the Party have the Authentic list. I went to Court, when I discovered that the governor’s group was trying to substitute the list with a concocted list put together by the Governor himself, his younger brother, Frank and some of their cronies.

    My decision to approach the court was to give legal backing to the Authentic list and to pre-empt and stop the Party from yielding to pressure from the governor to manipulate and alter the list in his group’s favour.

    At the trial, the Authentic list was affirmed by the Trial Court and the governor’s group lost out. The Judgment was appealed against me by the governor’s group. Again, the judgment was upheld by both the Appeal and the Supreme Courts. The Judgment of the Apex Court, finally resolved the matter and put the controversy to rest. The Judgment was given on January 6, 2021.

    I will like to know what would have happened if I had lost at both the appellate and supreme Courts, would they have accepted the victory or not? Surely, they would have insisted that the ruling remains sacrosanct and that’s what I am also insisting to be done. To underscore the authenticity of the Authentic list, it was used thereafter in the conduct of the Primary for the Senate By-election and also used for the zonal congress which held in Port Harcourt recently.

    It is my humble view that the Reconciliation Committee effort forced on the party by a self centred group that must win at all times is an after thought and cannot achieve anything. If it is with regards to the Ward and Chapter Excos, it is far too late in the day to contemplate such a mission because any alteration to the authentic list is contemptuous to the apex court’s ruling.

    I believe strongly and rightly so too that the NWC knows that the Authentic list is sacrosanct. The Party Leadership would not want to be charged for Contempt. I need to stridently sound this note of warning because of the grievous implications of tampering or causing an alteration to Authentic list.

    For one, the implication of altering that list is that the PDP in Cross River State will not be able to file Candidates that are validly nominated in 2023. The main Opposition Party in the State will take every available position. The reason why we would have such an outcome is that an illegal Exco cannot vote to nominate a candidate meaning that you cannot put something on nothing.

    Furthermore, I consider it grossly inappropriate for the NWC to be an accused and a judge, it certainly cannot Approbate and Reprobate. The Committee which had earlier ratified the list cannot in all intent and purpose make a volte face turnaround to alter it in just one fell swoop even after using the list in obedience to subsisting Court judgement.

    I am worried about the fate of our party because of the vultures hovering overheard. We see ominous signs in the horizon orchestrated by Agents who have been sent to destroy our Party. They are the ones hired to play the hatchet role of destroying causing acrimony with intent to destroy the party before moving to another party. Not too long ago, we were witnesses to an open romance between our leader and the ruling party. This is not the first time. Can we please ask Governor Ben Ayade, the outcome of his meeting with the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the APC? Can we also ask him the outcome of the meeting he had with some APC bigwigs in the Villa?

    I recognise that some of our leaders have inordinate ambitions and are blinded to the realities. I wish them luck. For me, I strongly advise against and will not subscribe to political rascality and disobedience to Judgments of Courts.

    I would also want to put on notice that I will not hesitate to facilitate an action against anyone who decides to be contemptuous. The National Organising Secretary is the Custodian of the Authentic list and I do not see him compromising his integrity. Going forward, can I also suggest that we probe to find out all those who contributed funds to the APC in 2019? If we do, are we sure we will not find contributions from some PDP governors including our own? I am not a purveyor of bad news but cannot be fooled either.

    This Party belongs to all of us. I am a major stakeholders. If that list is altered anywhere, the Party dies in Cross River State. Let the Committee move on and try to harmonize the various interests, moving forward as we gravitate towards the State Congress and National Convention.

    We must preserve the supremacy and not kill the Party, in trying to make one person happy in Cross River State. Whatever we do differently to that list now, is an illegality that cannot be swept under carpet. We have Party members whose tenures are already running as ward and Chapter Exco members. Any attempt at dropping them, will definitely be resisted. The Courts are there. Those who want to leave the Party, should be honorable enough to leave, without destroying our Party. The Party made them and the least they can do, is to leave it the way they met it. They should not accept the role of being the hatchet men.

    My advice to the reconciliation committee is to do a dispassionate report, taking into consideration the legality or otherwise of altering the Authentic list, being men of proven integrity, with track records of service delivery. Those attributes are not about to be eroded, due to extraneous influences and manipulations.

    Remember that, for some of us who have been fought by the Party, to please the Governor, we are already down and therefore, fear no fall. We have been widely and openly discriminated against, not minding our consistent loyalty to the party. Yet, we are assets to the Party in our various Constituencies.

    To be accorded our dues, we must not have the treasury of the State in our hands. As grassroots politicians, we don’t need the State’s treasury to win our elections. Did Hon Alex Egbona have access to the Treasury of the State when he went to the House of Representatives in 2015?

    I know the governors that contribute to the existence and sustenance of PDP in this Country, while some sit on the fence, flirt around and play games with all the other Parties, for their personal benefits. This is not the time to play the ostrich. The Party has to move on.

    Rt. Hon. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe

    (Senator-Elect)

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of Rt. Hon. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe and does not represent Theluminenews or the organization he works for.