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Tag: #Zana Akpagu

  • Prof. Zana Akpagu : The King Of The North

    Prof. Zana Akpagu : The King Of The North

    By Z- Effect Media

    On Sunday July 12, 2020 history was made at the popular Ishibori playground in Ogoja local government area of Cross River State as Prof. Zana Akpagu became the first person from the Cross River Northern Senatorial District to be conferred with traditional titles by council of chiefs of each of the five local government that makes up the zone.

    The title, Ntol Lem-Annenob which literally translate to a ‘Man who does good to the people’ is one of the many titles he has been conferred with by the people in appreciation of his extraordinary performances in all the positions he has held including Commissioner for Education and Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar.

    Previously, the Yala traditional Ruler council had conferred on him the Otobeche1 of Yala, Obudu gave him the Unwa Ushie1 of Obudu while the Bekwerra nation conferred on him the Okungbo 1 of Bekwerra. This is even as Obanliku had honoured him with the Uchua Ukpele 1 of Obanliku title.

    The honour by Ishibori, the traditional headquarter of the Nkem and the political capital of Ogoja completed a unique and historic recognition that explains the impact he has created in the people of the senatorial district.

    Not everybody can be made a king to rule over a kingdom. To become a king, you need to be a trustworthy person that is armed with wisdom that can handle matters objectively when the need arises. People who take things for granted and care about nothing except their personal interest even if they buy their ways to become kings have never been good kings.

    Good kings care about their people and their kingdom. They don’t pursue their personal interest but the interest of the people. They don’t fly in high horses but always dine and wine with the people to understand their problems. They use their privilege positions to attract good things to their people.

    These and many more are things the good people of the North have probably seen in Akpagu that every single local government have come out to celebrate and honour him with the highest titles in their lands.

    As it is today, there’s no Northerner that has done more for the people than him. During his conferment in Obaliku, Yala, Bekwerra and Obudu, the stories were the same. The people united although in different occasions in singing his praises for his massive employment opportunities, establishment of Micro Finance bank which is providing loans for farmers and small small scale entrepreneurs in three of the five local government in the North.

    Also, in Ogoja over the weekend, the story was the same. The people remembered how as Commissioner for Education, he transformed St. Andrews
    primary school to secondary school. They also recalled how he transformed Convent Primary School, Agiga to Secondary School. They also didn’t forget how he established the Saint Bens secondary school.

    They also sang his praises for bringing one campus of the Cross River University of Technology to Ogoja when he established the University as Commissioner for Education. Not to mention the numerous employment and scholarship opportunities he has given to the people.

    Education is the greatest tool for civilization and development. He gave the people education and has not stopped there. He left as Commissioner and in few years became the Vice Chancellor of the University Calabar, a position he has used to give many products of the secondary schools and University he established employment.

    Akpagu whom by his numerous honours have been described as the “King of the North” has always used his privileged positions to influence great things to the people. The well being of his people has always topped his priority.

    This explains why different groups, opinion leaders, political leaders among others have identified him as the best man for the vacant senate seat in the zone. He had opportunities and utilized them by making sure he brought benefits to our people and today the people are happy that they have a king who dream, thinks and work for them.

    Leadership is all about the people and Prof. Akpagu has demonstrated that he is the man of the people. The people have sent a clear message that in Akpagu they have a leader they trust and love and would do anything to reward his good works with more opportunities to represent them.

  • Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong: An Enigmatic/Innovative Progenitor Of Union Sustenance And Educational Renaissance

    Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong: An Enigmatic/Innovative Progenitor Of Union Sustenance And Educational Renaissance

    By Admin

    Prof. Offiong E. Offiong was born in Calabar
    on November 6, 1963. In 1974, and completed his Primary Education with a Distinction.

    He then attended Hope Waddell Training Institution, Calabar, where he sat and passed with Division–One WASC (1979). Prof. Offiong holds a B.Sc (Hon) degree in Chemistry
    (1984) from University of Calabar where he graduated with
    Second Class ( Upper Division).

    In 1990 he obtained his
    Ph.D in Coordination/Inorganic Chemistry
    from the same
    department, University of Calabar, supported by DAAD in Germany with a scholarship to conduct laboratory bench work in Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany.

    Prof Offiong also holds a Certificate in Equipment Maintenance (1991) from Bristol Polytechnic, Bristol, UK.

    After his successful mandatory National Service (NYSC) in
    the University of Ibadan, Prof Offiong started his lecturing career in 1985 as a Graduate Assistant in the Department of Chemistry, University of Calabar and rose to the rank of Professor in Coordination/Inorganic Chemistry in 2002.

    Offiong has successfully supervised 7 Masters and 13 Ph.D theses in the University. One of the PhD theses won the National Universities Commission’s Award of “Best Thesis in
    Physical Sciences in Nigerian Universities in 2012”.

    As a true scholar, he has been a mentor to many budding Academics especially in the field of Inorganic Chemistry. Many of his former Graduate Students are now Professors and others high ranking Academics in Nigerian Universities and abroad.
    One of them is the current Dean, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Calabar.

    Prof Offiong is an astute Academic/ Researcher with over 70 Research articles/publications in Peer-review journals
    cited in high impact databases. He had been
    Postgraduate/Undergraduate External Examiner in many Universities across the country including; UNIUYO, MOUA, BSU, UNIABUJA, UNN and presently in RSU.

    He has also served the University system in several capacities
    including; Sub-Dean , Faculty of Science, Dean Faculty of Science, Dean of Students’ Affairs, Member, Governing
    Council of the University of Calabar (2000 – 2004), Member, UCISS Governing Borad, Member, Central Admission Committee, Member, Centre for Educational Services, Member, University of Calabar Reformation and Implementation Committee, Member, Committee in the development of School of Pharmacy, Unical.
    Chairman and Zonal Coordinator ASUU, National Vice President ASUU among others.

    A celebrated Academic whose spirit of assistance spans
    through different human endeavours, Prof. Offiong also shared his passion and acumen in public service.

    Between 2007 and 2015, he served as Commissioner for Education, Cross River State. During this period, the Schools across the
    18 LGAs witnessed massive infrastructural transformation, the first of its kind. The performance of CRS Students in WASCE rose from 22nd position to 7th and 6th in 2012 and
    2013 respectively.

    His contributions to the establishment of
    the prestigious Institute of Technology and Management (ITM), Ugep and the reopening of previously closed down
    State-owned College of Education in Akamkpa speak volume to elucidate his sterling qualities and passion for education and scholarship.

    He was the Chairman of All States Commissioner of Education in Nigeria from 2009 to 2015.

    Prof. Offiong served in the Presidential Task Force on Education with the mandate of implementing a
    transformation agenda in Nigeria education system (2011 – 2014).

    His love for academic and human resource development knows no bounds; as a Commissioner, Prof. Offiong still rendered services free as an Academic by teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses and successfully supervised ten (10) Graduate theses during this period despite the fact that he was on Leave of Absence.

    Prof. Offiong has won several international Fellowships/
    Awards through which he visited many laboratories/
    Institutions and Universities in Italy, France, Germany,
    Russia, United States of America, United Kingdom, India, United Arab Emirates, Finland among others.

    As part of his community and humanitarian services, he is the immediate Past President of the Boys Brigade Nigeria (BBN), CRS Council (2013 to 2019). He is currently the Chairman of Education committee in the Obong of Calabar.

    Executive Forum. Prof. Offiong is married to his heart–throb Dr. (Mrs.) Ame l. Offiong; the marriage is blessed with three beautiful children; Efanga, Asa and Eme.

    Prof. Offiong has clearly demonstrated profound and purposeful leadership as an administrator, academic and above all a role model for young people in his thirty-five years as a Lecturer.

    He has also served the state in the following capacities;
    Consultant/Resource person, CREPA/FEPA on World Bank sponsored Environmental Action Plan for CRS.
    Consultant/Resource person to the Min. of Agric & Water Resources, CRS.
    Member & (Chairman, Sub-Committee on staffing) local accreditation to CRUTECH.
    Member, Education sub-committee, CRS transition committee.
    Chairman, Education & Social services cluster, CRS, comprising 11 MADs.
    Leader, CRS delegation on a study Tour to Educational Institutions in India.
    Leader, CRS delegation o a 5-day learning journey to University of Jyvaskyla, Finland.
    Member, CRS delegation on sister state relationship visit to the state of Maryland, USA.
    Leader, CRS delegation on a Study Tour of Highbury College, Portsmouth, UK.

    At the national level, Offiong also served as;
    Associate Consultant in Environmental Chemistry to Shell Producing Nig Limited (West)
    Consultant, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) on Gas emission project.
    Member, NUC committee on Development of Basic Minimum Academic Standards for post graduate programme in Nigerian Universities.
    Member, Presidential Task Team on Education.
    Member, Implementation on the Presidential Task Team report on Education.
    Member, Fed Govt of Nigeria delegation to Highbury College, Portsmouth.
    Member, Fed Govt of Nigeria delegation to the all Ministerial 2013 World Bank/International Monetary Fund Spring meeting with E-9 countries at Washington DC, USA.

    With these experiences, he would make a good Vice Chancellor if entrusted with the responsibility.

    He is an accomplished academician, astute administrator, intrepid goal-getter and undaunted activist who shares the vision of the founding fathers of the University of Calabar.

    Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong vision statement for the university in the coming five years is to transform it into a leading university in Nigeria and in the sub-Saharan region, in teaching, learning, research and community service. This he intends to accomplish through hard work, setting timelines, with continuous/rigorous evaluations for every task assigned to Staff and Students, to be backup with incentives as well as training and retraining of Staff.

    Professor Offiong understands that to produce globally competitive and skilled graduates and make University of Calabar a “Center of Excellence”, a lot of things will have to be done differently.

    He will attract grants and established functional linkages with other institutions in Nigeria and abroad.

    Professor Offiong intends to put in place a sustainable plan to boost the internally generated revenue(IGR)

    He will revolutionize the delivery and quality of Education/Services by expanding and integrating Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)
    into all the services/ operations of the University.

    As a former Union Leader, he will work to sustain industrial harmony and strive to enhance Staff/Students welfare, motivation and productivity.

    Prof. Offiong E. Offiong is astute unionist of no mean repute. He has been consistently involved in the processes that led to the midwifing of both students unions during his undergraduate programme. As a student activist, he championed most of the students yearnings that relived the plight of students.

    As a member of the Academic Staff Union of University, University of Calabar Branch ASSU-UCB, he was elected Vice Chairman at age 30 and was reelect for second term of four years following an excellent performance.

    During which time, all the unions in the University collaborated and midwived the University of Calabar International Secondary School.

    Prof. Offiong E. Offiong was elected Chairman, Academic Staff Union of University, University of Calabar Branch ASUU-UCB, in the year 2000 and was reelected in 2002 to serve another term of two years. During this period, ASUU-UCB made very positive impacts in the management of the university and in resolving all Labour related crisis.

    The distinguished Prof. Offiong E. Offiong also served as JAC Chairman, comprising of (ASUU, SSANU & NASU), University of Calabar branch. During his tenure as Chairman, he established a welfare scheme for the branch to carter for members welfare needs such as weddings, child dedication and bereavement etc.

    During this period, he introduced “computer loan scheme” which afforded members own their personal computers and became computer literate.

    Prof. Offiong negotiated and signed the second Centre for Educational Services CES Agreement of the university and got all the entitlements owed members including handsome allowances for Lecturers involved in Consultancy Services/Part-Time lecturing.

    As Chairman of ASSU-UCB, he was also the Zonal Coordinator, ASUU Calabar Zone, comprising of UNICAL, UNIUYO, IMSU, FUTO, UNIPORT and RSUSzt and as well NDU and CRUTECH where he midwived their charters into ASUU.

    Prof. Offiong E. Offiong is the first Cross Riverian to be elected National Vice-President of ASUU. At which time he organized the first leadership training workshop for Chairman and Secretary of branches in ASUU.

    Juxtaposing Prof. Offiong E. Offiong experience in the formation and service in the various unions he served previously, he very equipped with the technical, influential, managerial and developmental skills and prowess to reposition staff welfare and create job satisfaction as Vice Chancellor, University of Calabar.

    In line with the new direction in Universities world wide to be ‘Visible and globally Competitive’. Professor Offiong will strengthen the capacity of Academic Staff to have more publications in high impact journals cited in Scopus/Scimago, Thompson Reuters etc. abstract and citation database. As an exemplary academic leader, he is on the Scopus abstract and citation database, where the world university rankings are hinged on, Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong has contributed 35 publications, 1017 citations and an H-index of 17. Surely, as Vice-Chancellor he would know how to create the enabling environment for many young/upcoming scholars to strive and surpassed this.

    He will be focused also in improving the ranking of the University of Calabar through facilitating local and international conference attendance.

    He will consolidate on the achievements/efforts of the past administration of the University towards the expansion of new faculties/Centres and infrastructural development. New centres of excellence where the University has a competitive advantage will be established.

    Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong has traversed the ranks of public administration and is therefore no administrative neophyte. He has been Dean of Students’ Affairs, where he is been exposed to all the intrigues of students. He is a one-time dean of one of the largest faculties in the university; now splits into the present faculties of Physical and Biological Sciences. He was a member of the Governing Council of Unical and Commissioner for Education for 8 years.

    As Commissioner for Education, the schools in the 18 local government area of the state witnessed massive infrastructural transformation, first of its kind. The performance of students in WASCE rose from 22nd position to 7th and 6th in 2012 and 2013 respectively.

    He also midwived the establishment of the prestigious Institute of Technology and Management (ITM), Ugep and the reopening of previously shutdown State-owned College of Education (COE), Akamkpa.

    He intends to institutionalize Effective management and governance in the University of Calabar.

    If given the chance to become the 11th Vice Chancellor of the university of Calabar, he promises to work hard to reposition academics, administration and consultancy in the university of Calabar.

    The above vision and mission statements are achievable because Prof. Offiong E. Offiong has the credentials, his experience, strength of character, good health, fear of God and a clear idea of what it will take to transform the University of Calabar, his Alma Mater. He is endowed with influential, managerial and developmental prowess to change the narratives of leadership in the University of Calabar.

  • C’River Northern Senatorial Bye-Election And The Search For Quality Representation And The Implication Of The Electorate’s choice: Candidates Not Political Party Will Unleash The Gains Of Democracy

    C’River Northern Senatorial Bye-Election And The Search For Quality Representation And The Implication Of The Electorate’s choice: Candidates Not Political Party Will Unleash The Gains Of Democracy

    By Z-Effect Media

    The task of political recruitment of a legislator to serve in Nigeria’s red chambers is here again upon us people of Cross River State Northern Senatorial District. As the political climate condenses and gets politically charged, today I’ll be telling you the place of the party, people (electorates), candidate and how decisions hovering around them make for or truncate, torpedo, and makes the gains of political representation elusive.

    Notice that periodic elections is the hallmark of democratic governance. And it is this attribute that adds flavor and distinguishes it from other forms of government – military rule, monarchy, etc.

    These choices in the final analysis zeros up to two choices:

    1. Voting to liberate oneself from hardship misery and the agony of misrule; and
    2. Voting to legitimize through one’s consent his oppression.

    Ironically, the electorates in contemporary time seem not to recognize nor understand how supreme they are, and how critical their decisions in this political recruitment process (election) is to their survival.

    And it is on the basis of this political shortsightedness they make shortsighted electoral decisions that come with incalculable misery, hardship, and agony to them.

    The thing is this: they fail to recognize that a pro-people leader who is a friend of the people not the political party is key to their survival. And voting along that line rather that party is the best mans policy.

    Voting along tribal, religious and political lines and affiliation comes with some uncommon and rare contradictions: What do voters want? And what do they get? Voters want jobs, but joblessness and retrenchment have driven them into despair. Voters want decent living but all they get is against it – the few are rich, the majority are poor. The few exploit and keep the majority in poverty. Voters want freedom for all, but voters are in chains everywhere in conditions that make men torture. Voters want medical care, but what they get is neglect and abandonment. Voters want education for all but our rulers have sustained illiteracy for most.

    Elections after election, the hopes of the people were raised by promises of jobs, education, food, healthcare, transport, etc. But today with our voting patterns detected by party association and affiliation, and party spirit, the result is all the same: more poverty, more homelessness, more hunger, more neglect and misrule.

    You now see how that thing (political party) is useless in unleashing the gains of democracy and durable representation? It is disingenuous to expect anything tangible from such arrangement.

    The meat of the issue is that people oriented candidate, not political party will liberate and unleash the meaningful life we desire and yearn for. A pro-people candidate not political party will remove these living contradictions.

    The political party is nothing but a vehicle through which interests are moderated, sorted, and pressurized with vigor and attained. Only a people minded leader not political party will moderate those interests in the direction of the people.

    Those who want to see significant transformation on society and in the political space will have to base their political decision making not on party association and/or affiliation, tribe or religious groupings but on quality and competency of the candidate(s) and how they showcase to be leaders of the interest of the majority.

    As we shuttle and find aspirants to pitch our tent with, know we’ve a historical choice to make. It is a choice between freedom and oppression; between health and disease; between welfare and poverty. We’ve to make a decisive choice for freedom, education, jobs, health, decent homes, efficient and affordable transport system knowing a friend of the masses not party will serve. We’ve to choose against oppression, illiteracy, joblessness, neglect, homelessness, poverty, disease, and exploitation.

    Dear people of Cross River Northern Senatorial District, without mincing words, when we fail to act right and positively, we will just be fermenting political, social and economic cul-de-sac and combustibly assailant conditions that will annihilate and consume us all.

    Electorates, over to you.

    We strongly and enthusiastically recommend Prof. Zana to you.

    He has proven that he is a friend of the people.

    Zana is the way moving forward.

    He’ll be offering something more than a clue.

  • CR North Bye-election: Gale of defection hits PDP as 5000 dump party for Akpagu’s APC In Obudu

    CR North Bye-election: Gale of defection hits PDP as 5000 dump party for Akpagu’s APC In Obudu

    By Denis Inakefe

    The Senatorial ambition of Prof. Zana Akpagu got another big boost over the weekend as over five thousand (5,000) members of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP yesterday defected from the party to the All Progressives Congress, APC in Obudu local government area.

    Prof. Akpagu who hails from Obudu, the same local government with Governor Ben Ayade is a frontline aspirant for the Cross River Northern Senatorial district bye-election under APC.

    The academic who’s the incumbent Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar was in his home town yesterday for a small consultative meeting but on hearing that he was around, a mammoth crowd consisting of PDP members and numbering over 5000 came out to pledge their allegiance to him and his party, the APC.

    Speaking, the popular APC stalwart assured members that the days of intimation by the PDP government in the state was over as APC will deploy its federal might to protect its members in the local government and state in general.

    He said that he was in the race as a Cross River North indigene who is very concerned about the maladministration and failed representation the zone has suffered over the years under the PDP.

    He thanked the defectors for taking the bold decision not minding that the Governor was from the local government even as he assured them that they have made the right decision to be part of movement that will end the incessant cry of poor representation.

    “I want to thank you for this love. Today, you’ve made one of the best political decisions and I want to assure you that we’ll not fail you. Obudu and Cross River belong to all of us; the days of victimisation by the PDP government for being in opposition is over. We’re the government in power and we’ll deploy our federal might to ensure our members are protected from the desperate PDP”.

    He added that “APC under the leadership of the National Chairman, Adams Oshiomole, President Muhammadu Buhari and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu will be basking in a euphoria of victory in the forthcoming Senatorial bye-election. From today, you have been formally inducted into the APC family and everybody will be treated equally”.

    On his part, the Ward Chairman of Alege-Uban who received the defectors, George Ochui
    said that their decision to dump the umbrella for the broom was timely as the APC in the state needs a visionary Senator at the Senate to support the strides achieved by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    In his words, “Alege-Ubang is very important in Obudu local government because of its strong political base and agrarian nature. I believe that receiving members of the PDP from that locality will make the senatorial bye-election easy for us.”

    Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Charles Akeh said that their decision to join the ruling APC is to strengthen the party in the area and work for Prof Zana Akpagu in the forthcoming bye-election.

    He said that “We will ensure that APC wins in Alege-Ubang during the senatorial bye-election. We’ll build on Prof. Akpagu’s unmatched achievements and popularity to deliver APC”.

    An APC leader, Hon. Reuben Okang, while addressing press men said that “We had issues at Alege during the Presidential and National Assembly elections of 2019 where those who worked for APC were sent on exile but we are happy now that we have an aspirant like Zana who has always shown capacity in salvaging our sorrows in the region”.

  • University Of Calabar Advertises For The Position Of Vice Chancellor

    University Of Calabar Advertises For The Position Of Vice Chancellor

     

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    The Governing Council of the University of Calabar has declared vacant the position of the Vice Chancellor in the University with effect from 1st December, 2020.

    The declaration followed the expiration of the tenure of the current Vice Chancellor, Prof. Zana Akpagu whose tenure in office is to elapsed on the 30th of November, 2020.

    Prof. Zana Akpagu is the 10th Vice Chancellor of the institution and the first alumunus to head the institution.

    A release sighted by theluminenews and signed by the Registrar of the institution, Amb. Gabriel O. Egbe indicates that interested academics shall submit 30 copies of their applications with detailed curriculum vitae, duly signed and dated by the candidates with the most recent passports size photograph attached to each.

    The release reads in part “The Governing Council of the University of Calabar has declared a vacancy for the position of Vice Chancellor in the University with effect from 1st December 2020.

    “In accordance with the provisions of the university (miscellaneous) Decree No 11 of 1993 (as amended), the council has commenced the process of filling the vacancy.

    “The University of Calabar came into being on the strength of Decree No 93 of 1979, starting academic work in 1975, the university has the object of encouraging the advancement of learning and holding out to all persons without distinction to race, creed, sex, political or religious affiliation.

    “The candidates for the post of Vice Chancellor is expected to; 1. be an acclaimed scholar who is a professor of very high repute and must have published in academic journals that are both national and international reputes. 2. Wide range of academic experience. 3. be on the rank of professor for at least 9 years by 1st Dec, 2020. 4. must not be more than 63 years of age by 1st Dec, 2020”

    The release also indicated that the successful candidate is hold office for a period of 5 years.

  • INEC Declares C’River North Senatorial District Vacant As Permutations Heightens

    INEC Declares C’River North Senatorial District Vacant As Permutations Heightens

    By Elijah Ugani – Cabalar

    The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, has declared vacant Cross River North Senatorial District seat.

    The declaration comes on the heels of the demise of the late Sen. Rose Oko, who until her death was the senator representing Cross River Northern Senatorial District.

    In a release signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voters Education, Mr. Festus Okoye Esq., indicates that the commission has received official declaration of vacancies for 4 senatorial districts and read reports of the passing of a senator and 4 members of some State Houses of Assembly.

    The release reads in part “It is to be noted that in additional to the Governorship election in Edo and Ondo States, the Commission has received official declaration of vacancies for 4 Senatorial Districts and read reports of the passing of a senator and 4 members of some State Houses of Assembly.

    “As at today, the Commission is planning for nine (9) bye-elections across seven (7) states of the federation as follows:
    Bayelsa Central Senatorial District
    Bayelsa West Senatorial District
    Imo North Senatorial District
    Plateau South Senatorial District
    Cross River North Senatorial District
    Nganzai State Constituency, Borno State
    Bayo State Constituency, Borno State
    Nasarawa Central State Constituency, Nasarawa State
    Bakori State Constituency, Katsina State.

    “The provision of the policy on conducting Elections in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic shall also apply to the conduct of these elections.

    “In conclusion, the Commission urges all Nigerians to adhere strictly to the Covid-19 protocols issued by the health authorities”

    This declaration is coming barely seventy-two (72) hours when a front line contender for the PDP ticket to context the by-election for the Cross River Northern Senatorial seat, Dr. Stephen Odey had stated that he has not started campaigns, stating that INEC was yet to declare the seat vacant.

    Odey was reacting to the allegations of inviting the leadership of Northern Cross River State Students and President of the five local government areas that made up the Northern Senatorial district for a meeting and abandoned them.

    An allegation that Odey referred to as unnecessary accusations and attacks, dissociated himself and stated that he did not invite nor see students in his office and wonder why he will invite students when INEC was yet to declare the seat vacant.

    With the recent declaration by the electoral body, it is unclear whether Dr. Odey will commence campaigns.

  • Right Candidate, Not Anyone Can Win C’River Northern Senatorial Bye-Election For APC

    Right Candidate, Not Anyone Can Win C’River Northern Senatorial Bye-Election For APC

    By Z-Effect Media

    The opposition All Progressives Congress, APC in Cross River State have had plenty opportunities to win many election in the State but has failed because of the ever recurring mistake of fielding the wrong candidates believing that anybody will win them the election.

    The first golden opportunity APC had was in 2016 during the Yakur 11 rerun election. Yakur11 is the state constituency of the former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Usani Uguru and former Governor, Chief Clement Ebri.

    Chief Ebri and Usani are two heavyweights that winning a state constituency election shouldn’t have been a problem. Ebri is a household name in Cross River politics that’s highly respected across party lines while Usani on the other hand, a then serving Minister is a fierce Politician who many believe have mastered the tricks of winning election.

    With all these credentials, the juggernauts failed to deliver the constituency to APC due largely to the choice of candidate in that election. The candidate divided opinion among loyalists of the former Minister and his former Boss, Chief Ebri. This division affected the commitment of party faithfuls who didn’t actually worked for the party or anybody at all.

    There have been series of other examples where the ground was very soft as it is today for the APC to win the northern senatorial district election but because of the strange politics of “anybody APC presents will win the election”, a party that boast of many of the who is who in Cross River State have been limited to just one win.

    The success of the party in the only win; ,Yakur/Abi federal constituency won by Chief Alex Egbonna should ordinarily serve as a guide going forward but some members are still trying to play the old style of thinking that even if an inanimate object is presented against anybody by the PDP, APC will win.

    The crisis brewing in PDP today is also giving the APC ‘anybody’ politicians the hope that whether the right candidate is fielded or not, the party will coast home to victory.

    This is not true. Only the right candidate will win APC the northern senatorial district election not anybody.

    Even if the PDP continue as a divided party into the election, if APC fails to field the right candidate, they’ll not get the right results.

    It will even be dangerous for any party at all not just APC to rely on the crisis brewing in PDP to decide who fly the party’s flag. PDP has mastered the act of reconciliation. In 204/2015, it was like PDP will explode in the state but few days to election, they closed rank and delivered the party 100%.

    Even before the 2019 general election, many had predicted that, from the national to states, the party was going into extinction but this wasn’t the case as it returned even stronger to challenge APC for the top seat in the country.

    APC especially in the state is still learning the mastery of reconciliation. This is why the party has remained divided for more than three years. No doubt, there’re encouraging signs that the party is walking stoutly towards returning as one, but it has taken just too long for the leaders of the party to realise that the time for ego fight is over, now the party needs to be winning election.

    Who then is a right candidate?

    The right candidate for the next northern senatorial district bye-election should be someone in the mold of Chief Alex Egbonna. A proven performer, a grassroot mobilizer, someone whose impact is still fresh and still being felt by the people, someone with network, popularity and acceptability across party lines and above all, a candidate with the resources for the election.

    Going by these credentials, only one aspirant in APC fits perfectly and that’s, Prof. Zana Akpagu.

    Prof. Akpagu, the incumbent Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar is the only person going into the election that his name ring bell across every local government in the north, the state and beyond. He has touched more lives than any other in person in the last four and half years from the zone. His popularity and acceptability is across all divides. He is a thorough breed grassroot mobilizer and above the par performer.

    What he has done in the past few years place him way ahead of everybody who has indicated interest in all the political parties not just the APC. In terms of job creation and community development, nobody has done it better than him. Many families who hitherto were struggling to put food on their tables are today feeding other families courtesy of him.

    Despite the fact that the PDP is engrossed in a bitter fisticuff, the northern senatorial district is where the Governor comes from and nobody can undermine the power of the Governor. Therefore, if APC has serious interest in winning the election then it must put forth it best and see winning election to be more important than frivolities expressed by some who may not be truly interested in seeing the party win.

    APC can’t afford to repeat the politics of anybody can win election and expect anything other than a resounding defeat. Nobody except Alex Egbonna would have been able to win the Abi/Yakur federal constituency for APC and as it stance today, nobody other than Prof. Akpagu may be able to win APC the Senate election.

    With Egbonna success, the choice of Akpagu should be an easy and unanimous one but only time shall tell whether the party is truly interested in winning election.

    ®Z-Effect Media

     

    Disclaimer

    This is solely the views and opinion of Z-Effect Media and does not represent THELUMINENEWS.

  • Like Egbonna, Like Akpagu: How APC Can Win C’River North Bye-election

    Like Egbonna, Like Akpagu: How APC Can Win C’River North Bye-election

    By Z-Effect Media

    In the past few years, the Cross River State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC have been brewing in serious crisis that culminated into the operation of two secretariats; one at the Barracks road, Calabar led by Sir John Ochala and the other at Ndidem Usang road led by Hon. Etime John.

    While the Etim John faction enjoyed the support of the former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Usani Uguru Usani, the Ochala’s faction has the support of the National Vice Chairman South/South, Ntufam Hilliard Eta and the National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

    In the last general election, APC presented two candidates in almost all the elections including the Governorship which has Sen. John Owan-Enoh, a candidate recognised by the Ochala’s faction and the National Secretariat and Dr. Usani Uguru, the then Minister of Niger Delta who was preferred by the Etim’s faction. Both candidates even went to the tribunal to challenge the PDP victory but lost.

    It’s an open secret that the infighting and division in the APC gave PDP a smooth ride in all the elections. With the calibre of people now in APC in the State, even the worst critic of the party agrees that its performance in the last election wasn’t a true reflection of its strength. Much more was expected of a party that boost of the a former Governor, former Senate Leader, a Minister, a serving Senator and numerous federal appointees.

    While the gladiators in APC spend more time strategising against themselves, fighting over who control the party, the opposition PDP was busy planning on how to win it’s common enemy which is anybody presented by APC. From State Assembly election to the governorship, PDP won APC except for just one election that all factions decided to come together.

    There’s no doubt that Hon. Alex Egbonna is loved and adored by his people, this advantage wouldn’t have worked smoothly for him in the Abi/Yakur federal constituency if the APC didn’t sheath their swords to work together. His election was almost the only election in the state that all the stakeholders came together and the result was a resounding defeat of the then Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. John Gaul presented by the PDP.

    The Alex Egbonna story is a classical example of what unity can do and what it would have done for APC in other elections should the stakeholders worked together.

    As many have asserted to, the decision by all waring parties to drop their guns to work for just a candidate in the overall interest of the party was also largely informed by the choice of Chief Egbonna who was undoubtedly not just the right man but the only person in the federal constituency in the ranks of APC that enjoys massive goodwill across factions and party lines.

    With the last week Appeal Court judgement that authenticates Sir Ochala led executive as the authentic leadership of the party in the state and the willingness of the winning faction to extend a hand of fellowship to the Etim factions, it appears for the first time in over two years, there’s hope insight for APC to return to a great indivisible and united family that it once was.

    It’ll be foolhardy for anybody to believe that the matter has completely been resolved just by the Appeal Court judgement. While it is said that both factions are making sincere efforts for reconciliation, the wounds are also still fresh and alot more need to be done to bring all together. People will grumble, others because of pride or what they benefit from the fight will never want APC to be one. But with the commitment shown by the major players, there’s hope insight.

    APC cannot afford to go into the next election which is the Northern Senatorial District beyelection with a divided house and expect magic. The surest thing that can guarantee APC ‘s victory is when all key players collapse their structures in complementary to other efforts to field and sincerely work for a candidate who enjoys similar goodwill like Alex Egbonna.

    It’s an open secret that among all those who have indicated interest for the northern senatorial district bye-election, Prof. Zana Akpagu, a former Commissioner, two times Special Adviser and the incumbent Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar fits the cap.

    Prof. Akpagu like Egbonna enjoys massive goodwill across the factions and party lines. He is celebrated across the five local government in the north because of how much impact he has created. Beyond the zone and the state, his name is everywhere. His acceptability knows no bounds.

    From religious, Students organisation, transport unions and even the traditional institution in the entire northern Senatorial District hold him in high esteem. He holds highly revered titles in almost all the local government. The entire state Traditional Rulers Council has also recognised his good works and have honoured him with “Eto Nkori” Chieftaincy title which is the highest traditional title that can be conferred on anybody in the state.

    The implication of this is that even the gods of land recognise and appreciate what Akpagu has done for the entire state.

    What makes Akpagu a compelling choice for the APC is that although, unarguably an old APC member who sits at number 19 in his Ipong ward membership register, he was never really involved in the factional politics in the state therefore would be more acceptable by all and sundry. He has the Alex Egbonna kind of followership because of what he has done for people.

    APC cannot afford to repeat the mistakes that made the party perform poorly in previous elections when they have opportunity to make their 2023 takeover plan easier by using a charismatic leader, a proven performer and a sterling achiever like Akpagu to win the senatorial district with the highest voting strength in the state for the party.

    Like Egbonna, if APC fields a cerebral leader like Akpagu, the chances of winning the bye-election and by extension the 2023 elections against the divided PDP which is today a house at war against itself is very huge!

    If Egbonna did it for APC, Akpagu can and will do it.

    Z-Effect Media