Tag: #PDP

  • Cross River State APC’s Position on Governor Nyesom Wike: Hallucinations Of Defeat. – PDP

    PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY CROSS RIVER STATE

    23rd February 2022.

    Press Statement:

    Cross River State APC’s Position on Governor Nyesom Wike: Hallucinations of Defeat.

    Yesterday, 22nd February 2022, we watched with amusement the lamentation treatise sent out by the loquacious factional Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Cross River State, Alphonsus Eba, in which the cheap braggart inexplicably accused Governor Nyesom Wike of several baseless, tenuous, unsubstantiated imaginations of his not-so-fertile brain of conspiracies to destabilize Cross River State. The utter disrespect which underlines the press briefing granted by the factional Chairman of APC, Alphonsus Eba, establishes, beyond doubt, the pre-election trauma being faced by the failure-ridden APC ahead of the by-election on Saturday, 26th February, 2022.

    Aware that Governor Nyesom Wike’s visit to Cross River State on Saturday 19th February for the PDP by-election flag-off rally ruffled not a few feathers in APC, we understand the pain and agony in the camp of the APC, which has resulted to an expression of schizophrenia and defeatism.

    We challenge the APC chairman to organize a similar event and attract such a personality like Governor Nyesom Wike in his party to attend. We challenge them to invite their party leaders in South-South to Cross River State.

    It is incongruous that Alphonsus Eba in his howler and humdrum ridden press briefing had the temerity to accuse Governor Nyesom Wike of trying to import Political “cannibalism” into Cross River State. Pray someone should please interpret what exactly this means in English language. I thought cannibalism refers to species that feed on their type, in simple language.

    For a green-horn in Party administration that was imposed on the party by Governor Ayade without any experience whatsoever in political party administration, who is only pretending to be running the party because most of the prominent stakeholders have been sufficiently intimidated into submission to Governor/Emperor Ayade, how would such an uncouth fellow be elevated to such a position? That APC Leaders in the state have been reduced to grovelling sycophants is why a greenhorn monster like Alphonsus Eba so enthused in empty, boisterous talk and bitterness over his loss of the Party chairmanship position in PDP can prat around for lack of knowledge as to what to do to win an election and resort to unproductive press conferences.

    Alphonsus Eba should be reminded that at his so called reception in his ward there was bloodletting that remains unexplainable until date because of his alleged predilection to occultism and consequential bloodletting, which he could not even spare his kinsmen in his desperation for power and money.

    That a man who sleeps with, eats and breathes violence and cannibalism, can have the temerity to accuse his superiors of “cannibalism” is a display of his bad upbringing and unfitness for a public office that entails leading and persuading responsible citizens into believing in his party platform. We find such pedestrian remarks about Governor Nyesom Wike, highly condemnable and unnecessarily inciting and we hereby condemn such.

    We further condemn in strong terms the attempt by APC to stoke the embers of anarchy and violence in the State at every point during the campaigns towards the by election of February, 26, 2022. We call on all security agencies to note the consistent attempt by the APC in Cross River State to incite violence in the belief that they can use the machinery of Government and official security outfits to intimidate the PDP because they are conscious of the fact that they cannot win the by-election in a free and fair contest.

    It is further instructive to say that those who the gods have destined to destroy, they first make mad. For Okadigbo, whose life is characterized by thuggery and criminality to address Governor Nyesom Wike as a “motor park tout” shows the depth of his mental and intellectual ineptitude. We are bemused that a party like APC, with Governor Ben Ayade that superintended over the killing of Cross Riverians at Ogoja and Yala local Government Area during the Northern Cross River Senatorial by-election primaries could have the moral rectitude to talk about Political “cannibalism”. It is on record that a young Cross Riverian was shot and killed inside the house of a serving APC Commissioner in Yala Local Government Area, while Alphonsus Eba ordered the sporadic shooting of his own kinsmen at Echomofona. What else can be more cannibalistic than shooting your own kinsmen for Political relevance?

    As we approach the by-election day, we call on Cross Riverians, especially the good people of Ogoja/Yala to remember the many sins of APC in Cross River State and resist the occultic party by voting overwhelmingly for the people-oriented PDP.

    As a party, we refuse to be intimidated by the unwholesome shenanigans of the occultic cabals in APC, whose god is their belly.

    On the laughable attempt to label Governor Nyesom Wike— a sitting Governor with immunity— a Security threat in Cross River State, we call on the APC to stop embarrassing rational and reasonable Cross Riverians by their show of gross ignorance and pettiness. Who is Alphonsus Eba to declare a sitting Governor a security threat? Must Alphonsus Eba dance naked in the market square always just to ingratiate Governor Ben Ayade before he can qualify for crumbs off Governor Ben Ayade’s table?

    As a party, we sympathize and condole with the APC on the imminent loss awaiting them on Saturday, 26th February, our prayers and thoughts are with them in this trying moment of their political life.

    We call on our party faithfuls to remember our brothers and sisters beleaguered and beguiled in APC, in their prayers for God to open their eyes of understanding.

    We believe in the Cross River Project, and we are solely determined to rescue, restore, reclaim and rebuild Cross River State!!

    God bless Cross River State.

    Signed
    Prince Mike Ojisi
    (State Publicity Secretary)

  • Wike, Udom Leads Campaign Council For Ogoja/Yala Federal And Akpabuyo State Constituencies Bye-election

    February 22, 2022

    Press Statement

    PDP Constitutes Campaign Council for Cross River Bye-Elections

    The National Working Committee (NWC) of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has approved the nomination of the following party members as members of the National Campaign Council/Election Management Team for the Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency and Akpabuyo State Constituency bye-elections scheduled for saturday, February 26, 2022 in Cross River State

    The members of the committee are;
    1. H.E Chief Nyesom Wike – Chairman
    2. H.E Emmanuel Udom – Co. Chairman
    3. Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu – Member
    4. H.E Sen. Liyel Imoke – Member
    5. H.E Donald Duke – Member
    6. Prof. Stella Effah-Attoe – Member
    7. Rt. Hon. Patrick Nathan Ifon – Member
    8. Chief Ferdinand Alabraba – Member
    9. Sen. Gershom Bassey – Member
    10. Sen. Prof. Sandy Onor – Member
    11. Sen. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe – Member
    12. Hon. Daniel Asuquo – Member
    13. Hon. Essien Ekpenyong – Member
    14. Hon. Friday Okpeche – Member
    15. Hon. Effa Esua – Member
    16. Hon. Aniekan Akpan – Member
    17. Hon. Solomon E. Agwana – Member
    18. Hon. Ikem Venatius Ayabie – Member
    19. Hon. Barr. Kingsley Esiso – Member
    20. Dr. Tony Aziegbemi – Member
    21. Amb. Desmond Akawor – Member
    22. Chief Dan Orbih – Secretary

    The Directorate of Organization and Mobilization shall serve as Secretariat for the Council.

    Signed:

    Hon. Debo Ologunagba
    National Publicity Secretary

  • #FBIRandomThoughts – The Wike Alliance With CRS PDP And The APC Obscurantism

     

    One of the weapons of politics is obscurantism and obfuscation. This is the deliberate repainting of lies to look like truth and of truth to look like lies; the doctoring of facts and midwiving of half truths. If you are not very careful, you will be profoundly misled.

    For instance, take Governor Wike’s support for the PDP in Cross River State. The man is a PDP Governor, there is nothing strange in his support for his party and party members anywhere and anytime. He is showing this massive support for his party and friends in Cross River State.

    We have seen him show this support in several fora. Just yesterday, he was in Calabar for the PDP Rally. The mercantile obscurantists in APC have gone into full gear trying hard to sell us a spinned yarn. They are telling the PDP to be ashamed that their support is coming from outside the state.

    Ahn, ahn. Is politics no longer about building bridges and alliances? The first deployment of King Solomon’s wisdom was that he built alliances: 1 Kings 5:12 says, “The Lord gave wisdom to Solomon, just as He promised him; and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a covenant.”

    I heard that Governor Ayade considers himself to be among the wisest men in the world, I don’t know about that and I won’t argue that with him or anyone; however the Governor has proven that his unique kind of wisdom doesn’t incorporate building political alliances. His political wisdom is clearly different from that of Solomon, this is why he woke up one day and found himself in the PDP Political Wilderness and had to run out of the party.

    As a PDP Governor, he had no friends, refused to attend party functions or functions of the Governors Forum and he ended up with the ugly record of the being the first sitting Governor in the recent political history of Cross River State to have the party structures taken away from him while he rode alone in his long and loud convoy.

    Today, he is in APC, with little or no difference: no friends, no alliances and his horde of political hallelujah boys are daring to laugh at a group of politicians building bridges and alliances. Dry joke.

    Even the kings of Isreal asked fellow kings for help. 2 Chronicles 28:16 says, “At that time King Ahaz sent to the kings of Assyria for help.” Kings David, Solomon and others build alliances, asked and received help when the situation warrants it. This didn’t make them slaves to these kings. This is why the picture of master-servant or slave the APC is trying to paint between Wike and Cross River State PDP is pathetic.

    But it is not just pathetic, it is irony. When Wike came to Calabar we didn’t see anyone bowing or prostrating to him; but we all remember the picture of a man who prostrated and worshipped Governor Ayade at the UJ Esuene stadium when the said man was purportedly elected the APC State Chairman. Pray, tell, which party has a god and master and which one has a friend and supporter?

    Don’t let anyone fool you, building alliances is always a political masterstroke. The friendship between Governor Wike of Rivers State and the stalwarts of the PDP in Cross River State is a masterstroke. Of course, the APC knows this, that’s why they can’t sleep well. The thing dey pepper them for body.

    To succeed, build alliances; at times even with enemies. The Isrealites did this. Judges 3:13 “And he gathered to himself the sons of Ammon and Amalek; and he went and defeated Israel, and they possessed the city of the palm trees.”

    – By First Baba Isa (FBI)

  • Ayade’s Attempt To Stop PDP Flag-off Rally: A Joke Taken Too Far – PDP

    PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY CROSS RIVER STATE

    19th February 2022.

    Press Statement:

    Ayade’s Attempt To Stop PDP Flag-off Rally: A Joke Taken Too Far

    We received with utmost dismay and consternation the news of the ignoble attempt by Governor Ben Ayade to stop the epoch-making PDP Flag-off Rally scheduled to hold today, 19th February 2022. As a party, we condemn in strong terms this bizzare act of Political intolerance, bullying and intimidation by the Governor. It is worthy of note to stress that the said flag-off rally has been approved by INEC and all the relevant agencies in the State, as such, we find the Governor’s attempt to stop the rally absolutely unbecoming, nauseating and undemocratic.

    Aware that the Governor is currently suffering from pre-election trauma sensing the imminent defeat awaiting the APC in the forthcoming by-election, we heartily sympathize with him and his failure-personified Political Party, while calling on him to retrace his step and follow the path of nobility, as we cannot be intimidated or cowed by his shenanigans.

    We call on Security agencies to rise up to the occasion and guarantee the safety of all PDP faithfuls. We call on all party faithfuls to remain committed and resolute, as this too shall pass. Cross River State belongs to all of us and nobody, no matter how highly placed can deny us the privilege of Political participation.

    God bless Cross River State!!

    Signed
    Prince Mike Ojisi
    (State Publicity Secretary)

  • N210Million Budget For Bye-election: PDP Clears The Air On The Intertwine Of Propaganda And The Sacrosanctity Of Truth

    PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY CROSS RIVER STATE

    18th February 2022.

    Press Statement:

    N210Million Budget For By-election: The Intertwine of Propaganda and the Sacrosanctity of Truth

    The Attention of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party Cross River State, has been drawn to a cheap, frivolous and scandalous ploy by the unproductive broom-wielding All Progressive Congress, aimed at arm-twisting facts and hoodwinking unsuspecting Cross Riverians into believing that the Peoples Democratic Party budgeted the sum of 210million Naira for the Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency and Akpabuyo State House by-election, when in essence, it is the APC that actually budgeted such humongous amount for a mere by-election. Aware that, with the by-election underway and the APC sensing her imminent failure, a lot of intrigues, manuvering, propaganda and intricacies are bound to emanate from the cocoon of the APC and with the information about the 210million naira now in Public domain, we understand this act of desperation by the APC to cover their heinous crime and rigging plan. It does appear once again that the days of lies, confusions and deceptions are back, as such we are not perturbed by the propaganda and distortion of facts coming from the APC and their faceless hirelings as they are known to be unapologetic liars and pathological rabble-rousers.

    Arising from the above, it has become apparently instructive that we address this issue squarely and puncture the many lies of APC and its fifth columnists. We have it on good authority that the Governor, through the Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, deducted the sum of 20million naira from each Local Government Account which is in excess of the sum of N210million, hence making it logical that they are capable of budgeting such amount for the purpose of rigging the February 26th by-election.

    Aware that it amounts to electoral breach to budget such humongous amount solely for election rigging, we invite the Security agencies to inspect our account and see if we have such money as opposition party. We call on all Cross Riverians to remain vigilant and resist any attempt by the APC to rig the by-election and truncate democracy in Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency and Akpabuyo Local Government Area. As a people-oriented Political Party, we will continue to stand with the people against the whims and caprices of the All Progressive Congress. We remain confident that there Shall be light at the end of the tunnel.

    God bless Cross River State!

    Signed
    Prince Mike Ojisi
    (State Publicity Secretary)

  • Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency Bye-election: 21 Reasons Why I Be Voting For Mike Usibe BY FIRST BABA ISA

     

    REASON 1 – ZONING

    I do this whenever there is an election. I share my thoughts about the candidates I will be voting for, for certain offices. Many persons have reached out to me in the past to say I swayed them to vote one way or the other. I love it. I hope to sway more with this latest round of conversation. 😄

    But seriously, this is something I enjoy doing. I also enjoy the conversation around this. I also enjoy the naivety or deliberate obscurantism of folks who come to say things like “social media don’t win elections; there is no polling booth on social media”. Yet, Governors and other politicians appoint hundreds of aides on social media, open and maintain social media channels.

    Some of these folks who want to belittle these conversations we have on social media are even SA’s and PA’s to a Governor on Social media. Very ironic, right? Well, we know they are not sincere because they only attempt to belittle or ridicule these conversations when it doesn’t align with their political stance.

    Social media is important. These conversations work. Let’s have them.

    Now, back to the first reason that will make me vote for Hon Mike Usibe to represent me and the good people of Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency; it is zoning and inclusion.

    A few days ago I shared my thoughts on the concept of zoning and inclusion as the very bedrock of democracy. I said it is ideal but I also warned against it’s usage by mercantile politicians who use it as a weapon of deceit and aggrandisement.

    In my own words, my resolve on zoning is: “I have, therefore, resolve to promote this as much as I can but not to split unnecessary hairs about it. I will always consider it but I will not put it first in my consideration for choosing someone for an elective position.”

    So, whenever I see the concept of zoning or inclusion happening truly by chance or by design, I will jump on board. This is what is happening now. I don’t think Mike Usibe emerged as a candidate for this election based on any deliberate zoning arrangement by the PDP or anyone, but I’m happy that his emergence resonates with the idea of inclusive democracy.

    Since 1999, an Ukelle man or woman has never represented us either in the Senate or House of Representatives; Mike Usibe is an opportunity to give them a chance to represent us and lead us in this democratic conversation at that level. All lovers of democracy and inclusiveness can’t miss this chance.

    But effective representation at the House of Representatives or any elective office for that matter goes beyond zoning, tribal or ethnic inclusiveness. If that is all Usibe is bringing to the table then he is not worth our time. But this is not all. There are 20 other reasons why we should vote for Mike Usibe.

    Keep a date with me as we discuss other reasons; the more important ones.

    suffragiumus, Usibe!

    #JoinTheUsibeConversation

    – By Firsts Baba Isa (FBI)

  • Ogoja/Yala Bye-Election: Alex Ajor Donates Campaign Items To Hon Mike Usibe

     

    A PDP Stalwart and member of the Unconquered Movement, Don Alex Ajor has presented Campaign Items to Hon. Mike Usibe in his Ogoja residence.

    The items includes ; Flex banners, stickers,face cap, T- Shirts etc were presented by Sani Mohammed Isa, on behalf of Alex, as his support for the campaign organization of Hon. Mike Ede Usibe for the February 26th Bye-Election for Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency.

    Mr Ajor had during the Senate Bye-Election presented similar items to the Senator representing Cross river North, Senator Jarigbe Agom, stated that, “the unity of the party in the North under the leadership of the Distinguished Senator is one quality that has proven truly that he is God sent, not underestimating his giant strides in Infrastructural/Human Capital Development in the entire Senatorial District”.

    He used the opportunity to call on Constituents of Ogoja/Yala to rally round the party’s flagbearer and provide the necessary support needed for the actualization of the party’s goal which is victory comes February 26th.

    Don Alex is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Ibiaragidi ward in Bekwarra LGA.

    TEAM USIBE MEDIA

  • Court Orders C’River Assembly To Pay Withheld Allowance To PDP Lawmakers

    Culled from the Parchment

    Justice Nnang Isoni of the Cross River State High Court, Calabar has ordered the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly and the Clerk of the house to immediately pay the allowances owed some members of the state assembly who refused to defect to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
    In a consent judgement, Justice Isoni submitted that the lawmakers being elected members of the state house of assembly, were entitled to their allowances and therefore directed that their allowances be paid to them.
    The Court also restrained the leadership of the house from suspending or attempting to suspend the lawmakers until the expiration of their tenure in office.

    The seven (7) PDP lawmakers who refused to defect to the APC had dragged the leadership of the house to court for refusing to pay their allowances.
    The members, Rt Hon Efa Esua, Calabar municipal State constituency, Rt Hon Friday Okpechi, Obubra 1, Hon Francis Ovat, Obubra 2, Rt Hon Fredrick Osim, Ikom 1, Rt Hon Itam Abang, Boki, Rt Hon Nelson Ofem, Yakuur 1 and Elizabeth Ironbark, Akpabuyo state constituency had prayed the court to compel the house leadership to pay them their allowances.

    Hon. Elizabeth Ironbar later died in October 2021.

    Findings by The Parchment reveals that the judgement which was delivered on February 7, 2022, is however yet to be implemented. One of the APC lawmakers who pleaded not to be mentioned, told our reporter that, despite the rulling, the state governor, Ben Ayade has ordered the house leadership never to pay the lawmakers until they defect to the APC.

    In May 2021, Cross River State governor, Ben Ayade abandoned the People’s Democratic Party for the All Progressives Congress. Few weeks after, 18 lawmakers joined the governor and defected to the APC, while the other 7 out of the 25 member house remained in the PDP.

    For refusing to defect to the APC, the Eteng Williams led house of assembly refused to pay the PDP lawmakers their statutory allowances, allegedly on the orders of the State governor, Ben Ayade.

    In a special interview with the The Parchment last September 2021, leader of the house, Hon. Peter Odey had denied that the PDP members were refused their allowances.

    “As far as I am concerned, I know that all what is due them, still gets to them as members of the state house of assembly” Odey told our reporter.

    The recent rulling now exposes Hon. Odey and the house leadership as liars.

    One of the affected PDP lawmakers who spoke with our reporter on the implication of the court ruling said.
    “ The important thing is that we sued them individually, we only Joined the house of assembly because they are members of the house. So what that means is that, in implementing the judgement, we can begin to sieze their properties individually”

    The house leadership led by speaker Eteng Williams had been accused of sharing among themselves over N15 million monthly allowances meant for the seven lawmakers who refused to defect to the APC since May lasted year.

  • If Not That Shamelessness Is A Key Ingredient In Nigeria Politics, APC Cross River State Cannot Be Talking About Zoning Now BY FIRST BABA ISA

     

    #FBIRandomThoughts – Zoning

    1. As elections approach you will hear a lot about zoning and “it is our turn”. Even if you never kn what the hoopla about zoning entails, you will have a fair grasp this period.

    2. I love the concept of zoning. It is the very essence of democracy and the foundation on which participatory democracy is built on. Anyone who doesn’t know this yet, is still a far cry from understanding the concept of democracy as it were or the person is just pretending, to serve ulterior motives. I will come to the deployment of zoning using ulterior motives, presently.

    3. Our present constitution contemplated and enshrined the concept of zoning in several sections; like the sections dealing with Federal Character or the ones mandating the president and governor to make sure their ministers and commissioners come from each state or local government as the case may be.

    4. Clearly, the constitution did not outline a framework for zoning elective positions but the point I’m making is that zoning as it were is not a foreign concept to both democracy in general and our constitution in particular.

    5. Now, the constitutional provision that mandates the President to pick at least one minister from the 36 States of the Federation makes comedy of the thinking that zoning begets mediocrity. Again, this argument is only wielded by folks with a self serving motive. Zoning is not the opposite of competence. This is 2022, there is no state, local government, ward or even village without someone competent to fill an elective position.

    6. If the electorate is ignorant or gullible, they will always elect someone incompetent; if the president or governor is incompetent and ignorant, he will always appoint incompetent people even if he picks them from every village or just one village. Zoning is not to blame.

    7. So, whenever you hear someone say, “we don’t want zoning, we want competence”, that’s the voice of deceit or ignorance talking. Zoning and competence can exist together and there is absolutely no reason why they shouldn’t. Zoning is simply an agitation for equal and fair participation. No more, no less.

    7. If you all agree that it is the turn of my family to produce the next village chief and the kingmakers or voters decided to pick the most incompetent in my family to crown chief, how is that the fault of zoning?

    8. However, we have two major problems with zoning in Nigeria; no clear cut guidelines for its implementation and the insincerity of those who mouth it. I have not seen anyone who truly believes in zoning. It is always a tool of political shenanigans to them.

    9. Let me give you just one example; the Governor of Cross River State. He recently declared that the Governor must come from Southern Cross River State based on the principle of zoning. He has been applauded as an advocate of zoning. But is he? No. Definitely not. Why? The man has a presidential ambition. He confirmed that himself.

    10. If the two major political parties are zoning their presidential ticket to the south, then it should go to the South East. An Igbo man or woman should be president. The South West has taken before, the South South has taken, so it should go to the South East. But here is a South South Governor, who is being touted as an apostle of zoning, being asked about his presidential ambition, and instead of him to say “No, I’m an advocate of zoning, so it is the turn of the South East…” But, my guy said, “I’m ready if my party wants me.” Can you imagine the insincerity.

    11. His aides and supporters in Cross River State are busy sharing his posters for president and shouting #BackToSouth for the governorship position. If double standard had a face. Even in their back to South campaign, it is the Efik, who had produced a Governor that are angling for it. Is that the spirit of zoning? No. It should go round the local governments, wards and tribes.

    12. It is even laughable that the APC, the Governor’s party today, is talking about zoning. In the last election, the Governor who is from the North was running for reelection and the APC fielded two candidates from two factions and both were from the Central! If not that shamelessness is a key ingredient in Nigeria politics, APC Cross River State cannot be talking about zoning now.

    13. So, you see, the concept of zoning, without watertight guidelines for its implementation, will remain good as an ideology but wobbly in practice. So, as much as I love the concept, it is difficult to practice. You don’t even know when someone is using it to hoodwink you.

    14. I have, therefore, resolve to promote this as much as I can but not to split unnecessary hairs about it. I will always consider it but I will not put it first in my consideration for choosing someone for an elective position. That’s why you might see me rooting for someone from the North or Central of Cross River State for Governor if they meet other terms and conditions far above the person from the South.

    15. Look out… Make person no use your head. Zoning has conveniently become a tool of political yahoo yahoo.

    – Written By Firsts Baba Isa (FBI)

     

    Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are strictly that of the author, First Baba Isa Esq and does not represent TheLumineNews or the organization the author works for.

  • PDP Primaries: FBI Calls On Jarigbe Agom To Reconcile Aggrieved Members

    A right lawyer and one of the counsels to Sen Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, Mr First Baba Isa Esq has called on the senator to speedily reconcile parties that are aggrieved following the outcome of the just concluded PDP primaries for Ogoja/Yala federal constituency bye-election slated for Feb 26th, 2022.

    Mr Isa made the call on his verified Facebook account:

    “I would have been seriously surprised if Senator Jarigbe Agom is not blamed for one thing or the other in the just concluded PDP primaries to elect its candidate for the upcoming by-election for the Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency.

    ‘My Learned Friend, Barr Offiono lost the primaries, it’s Jarigbe’s fault; if Mike Usibe had lost the elections, it would have been Jarigbe’s fault. Both of them were his key supporters in his battle for the Senate seat. Both of them expected his support and it will be assumed that any one who won was the one who got the support.

    “That’s my constituency too and as one of Jarigbe’s lawyers and supporters, if I had contested that primaries and lost, I and my supporters would have blamed the Senator. It is what it is. If you don’t get it, forget about it. There is nothing the Senator can do about it. That’s the price of being the leader of the party, especially in that constituency.

    “But I really want us to get it, because there is a positive side to blaming the Senator. That people blame him for their loss and assume he supported the winner to win is evidence that they believe in his leadership and capacity to lead and deliver. The conclusion is that he has all it takes to influence the emergence of a winner. The Senator should see this as a positive, get inspired and motivated by it.

    “It’s time for the Senator to lead the charge in reconciling his supporters at that level. That’s a task he must undertake immediately. The Senator or any other person should not just focus on explaining how neutral the Senator was. Those who do not want to believe this, won’t.

    “This challenge is not just for the Senator, it is for his followers too: for Goffio and his supporters who are supporters and aides to the Senator. We are about to see how strong their unity is, in the face of disagreement.

    “I write this because of my projections a few days ago. I had projected that if PDP fields a candidate from Ukelle to run against an APC candidate from Yala, PDP will win the elections, ceterius paribus. However, I must submit that this projection might not be possible with the present rancour in PDP.

    “APC seems more united at the moment; and no one has ever won a battle against unity.

    “By Firsts Baba Isa (FBI)”