“No Stone Must Be Left Unturned Otherwise We Labour In Vain.”

“John must continuously be persuaded to address the Ejagham factor during the campaigns in the Central Senatorial District, on why the Ejagham people must all vote for Prince Bassey Otu on the bases of the edge he has over Senator Sandy Ojang Onor, of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP), otherwise, the recent reconciliation is meaningless.”

“Those who do not have any of these attributes or are not prepared to sacrifice their time and comfort to make things work are those who resort to ethnicity and push that to the level of it becoming a state policy. To those persons, whenever you talk about another ethnic group, apart from theirs, they flair up and give the impression that you are being biased but deep down in them, they’re not only the culprit in this case but merely the crying wolf.”

“Going by all indications, Prince Bassey Otu of the ruling party whose candidacy is not rooted in ethnicity pillage but bridge building, cutting across the ethnic divide, has become the choice of a preponderance of those who have indicated their willingness to participate in the forthcoming election exercise in the state for that sake therefore, effort must not be spared in addressing every issue that appears pernicious. This is owing largely to the effect of his cheerful disposition and mien, coupled with his generosity, ability to relate with people without the condition, wide working experience both here and abroad, and his reach. Nonetheless, everything must be put in place and all well-meaning Cross Riverians, especially those who desire a stable and egalitarian government, must show commitment and not be passive-aggressive otherwise a lot may be hovering.”

– Obi Ojage

The All Progressives Congress, (APC) no doubt has an edge over the leading opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state of the cross river if the election into government house is to be conducted today by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), notwithstanding, a lot more work needs to be done to muffle the effect of the ethnicity factor that is far eroding the chances of both candidates surreptitiously without most agreeing to its effect as such, but it does.

The problems facing the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Central Senatorial District of the state of the Cross River, also confront the candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in the Southern Districts of the state, as a common phenomenon that needs to be addressed by either party who do acknowledge that as being a problem needing a solution.

If you ask me, there is no reason why the people of the northern senatorial district at this juncture would not show solidarity en mass to vote massively for the outgoing state governor, Professor Ben Ayade’s senatorial ambition to return to the Nigerian senate at the least, as one from the north on account of the numerous development he has fetched to that area and how much he has helped in bringing their people into the mainstream politics where he deliberately placed many of them in strategic positions in government for the almost eight years he has prevailed as Governor of the state.

Many of them I know, wouldn’t have been what and where they’re today if not for the magnanimity and doggedness in leadership shown by their brother, the Governor, that much I can testify. These have no reason to play a different politics that reciprocates a good turn. But in the Central and Southern Districts of the state, the cases are different.

Central Senatorial District indeed is where the conflict would be fought and won by the All Progressives Congress, (APC) in Cross River State. Particularly so because the area is where Senator Sandy Ojang Onor comes from in Etung Local Government. It’s obvious that it is where the battle line would be drawn between the ruling party and its rival, the leading opposition People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) in the forthcoming contest for the position of who becomes Governor.

The Efiks of the South are the second largest single ethnic majority in the state as it is constituted equally where the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Prince Bassey Otu hails from Odukpani Local Government. For such reason, it is incumbent on those of the South in APC to do all in their power to show strength on those bases rather than being chauvinistic over what requires tag and accommodation to prevail in the face of indifference.

Some people I know play their politics based on ethnicity. That’s all they know obviously because they have nothing to offer. In politics, you either offer money in support of the course or ingenuity.

By ingenuity I mean the application of wisdom to solve issues in addition to the display of specialized skills to make a difference and show why certain things are not right in the manner they’re being presented or pursued especially when they’re for the common good of all.

Those who do not have any of these attributes or are not prepared to sacrifice their time and comfort to make things work are those who resort to ethnicity and push that to the level of it becoming a state policy.

To those persons, whenever you talk about another ethnic group, apart from theirs, they flair up and give the impression that you are being biased but deep down in them, they’re not only the culprit in this case but merely the crying wolf.

In Cross River State as it is constituted today, in terms of population and spread the Ejagham people constitute or, if you like, control the single largest ethnic majority spreading across the three senatorial districts of the state, in towns such as Ogoja, Ikom, Etung, Akampa, Udukpani, Calabar municipality, and part of Akpabio local government areas. And democracy is a game of numbers. Attention must be given to those who may probably record some upsets on the bases of numerical strength in this case if we must be realistic.

The “population-advantage” issue in that order has the Efiks coming second. While the Obudu, Boki, and Ugep people barely have wildly controlling influence over situations concentrated around their individuality and may wish to wild their influences in favor of whichever candidate they so chose, sometimes they exercise this influence through their position in government and they are subject to so many influences especially if one is not the Governor in this case.

This is different from those who have the numerical strength to push forth as a group in the case of an election, mostly general elections, they’re never to be ignored.

However, the different influences made by a group of individuals coming from tribes that are not large in number could be felt merely on their capacity, not a group. And that may not be meaningful and sufficient to influence a Governorship election, compared to those tribe that controls a single ethnic majority and are serious about having their weight thrown on a particular candidate for the same election.

Therefore, these exponents are important and must be tolerated, accommodated, and given their due place to acclimate the various psychological intolerance that is bound to occur on either side. Where these factors are ignored or undermined by whoever desires to govern the state through a Democratic process, upsets are bound to happen.

Ignoring these certainties in the power struggle in our case within the state APC represents an effort in futility. And that is not what Prince Otu needs now as the most widely accepted contender at this critical stage whose winning chances of his becoming the next governor of the state are palpable and realizable, especially if silent noticeable but malignant encroachment is nipped, victory is sure, the Lord willing.

Going by all indications, Prince Bassey Otu of the ruling party whose candidacy is not rooted in ethnicity pillage but bridge building, cutting across the ethnic divide, has become the choice of a preponderance of those who have indicated their willingness to participate in the forthcoming election exercise in the state for that sake, therefore, effort must not be spared in addressing every issue that appears pernicious.

This is owing largely to the effect of his cheerful disposition and mien, coupled with his generosity, ability to relate with people without the condition, wide working experience both here and abroad, and his reach; these are all that stand him out. It is doubtful if any of his opponents for the governorship race matches that.

Nonetheless, everything must be put in place to consolidate those attributes, making sure that they are turned into the victory highly desired. For those reasons, therefore, all well-meaning Cross Riverians, especially those who desire a stable and egalitarian government, must show commitment and not be passive-aggressive otherwise a lot may be hovering.

Where there is a need to show concentration, that should be applied unrestrained and devoid of wishful thinking or baseless assumptions on the part of those who claim they love the Prince the most.

Which is why the Ejagham factor, as the single ethnic majority, must be given priority for the potential it Wills in the outcome of this election as it concerns the Governorship of the state. And everything that requires to be done, should be done in earnest without double standing.

Distinguish Senator John Owan Enoh comes in handy in this case scenario. He being an Ejagham man at this juncture should be prevailed upon to throw his weight in full force in open assurances to the Ejagham people in the district during the campaigns, in the way he knows best; of what Prince Bassey Otu’s leadership promises the Ejagham people when he eventually comes to power.

It’s particularly so because he had earlier shown tremendous willingness to bring the Ejagham people into the mainstream of the power equation and distribution in the state if he were to become the governor, now that he isn’t and Prince Otu is, that drive still subsists owing to who Otu is as a fair-minded fellow…

John must continuously be persuaded to address the Ejagham factor during the campaigns, especially in the Central Senatorial District, on why the Ejagham people must all vote for Prince Bassey Otu on the bases of the edge he has over Senator Sandy Onor, of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP), otherwise, the recent reconciliation is meaningless.

Prince Otu is more appropriate to handle whichever dichotomy exists hitherto and bring everyone on board than would Sandy with his extravagant self-pride, which in any way is never to denigrate him, that’s who the Original Caterpillar truly is, perhaps given his scholarly composition. I had thought he had been much more suitable being in the Nigerian Senate than embarking on this horrible journey to nowhere.

These are areas where John should harness, bring his ingenuity and popularity to bear in the area and amongst his community, and convey the message to the Ejagham people at large, to that conception in the Central District. I am pretty sure if that is sincerely done, it will make a difference.

Incredibly so because Sandy himself, an Ejagham and contesting the Governorship, truth be told, is a formidable force any day, and challenging him within the Ejagham territory and among the Ejagham people where he holds sway, requires one who is truly Ejagham and has, and can will so much influence in addition to earning their respect for those who’ve taken sides to see reasons. And John truly fits that assignment.

Keep a date with me Next Week in the series: On why we shouldn’t allow bigotry through a surrogate who is an effervescent braggart.

End Time Message!

GOD WITH US…..

StreetReporters.ng

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