L-R: Obaji, Lebo and Lawrence
Efio-Ita Nyok|17 October 2016
The 8th Cross River State House of Assembly (CRSHA) as led by Rt. Hon. John Gaul Lebo recently endorsed the presidency of Comrade Caleb Obaji elected on 13 August 2016 and sworn into office on 16 August 2016 as the substantive Executive Council of National Association of Cross River State Students Worldwide (NACRISS WW).
This decision initiated on Thursday 13 October according to our source, was adopted in plenary after a recommendation by the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Petition and Conflict Resolution was laid before the House. However, the legislative body is yet to make public an official document containing this decision.
It will be recalled that until this decision was arrived at by the CRSHA, the apex activist body for students of Cross River origin, NACRISS WW had been experiencing some degree of katakata, in that it was operating a parallel EXCO of Comrades Caleb Obaji and Romeo Ojong Lawrence. The latter's EXCO was elected on 20 August and sworn into power on 9 September 2016.
Despite the intervention of CRSHA, the Comr. Romeo Ojong Lawrence faction of the student activists apex body has rejected outrightly the decision of the 8th CRSHA sitting in plenary. One Comrade George Ajangson the then Sole Administrator of NACRISS WW appointed by former president Uke Uke contends that,
'It quite unfortunate that our generation is almost washed away by the so-called political factor even at the expense of the future of our youths. I see people celebrating the unfortunate, unethical and politically procured decree (not judgment) of our supposed respected/uncommon House of Assembly but l can assure all those who procured the verdict that once again they have failed. We will contest our claims in court because that is where the hope of non politicians lies, only there shall we know the commissioner, Grand Commander, Leadership Academy and past presidents and what influence do they have. The law is no respecter of man, political office or self acclaimed personality.
'The Comr Ojong Romeo led exco formally and officially distance herself from the purported judgment of the CRSHA and hereby declare it null and void because it doesn't hold and doesn't form part of our consent and agreement. The Assembly resolution has no convincing position inline with NACRISS WW constitution, congressional ethics and morality, it's indeed a shame because we are aware of all that transpired in the caused of the panel's inquiries and the many lies passed on by political mischief makers who are bent at frustrating our resolve to sanitized the corrupt activities of a greedy group of people. Let's meet in court because it has reach the limit. Shame!!! On the enemy of transformation, progress and prosperity', he concluded.
Replying Ajangson, the former Electoral Committee Chair of NACRISS WW, Comr Obo Emmanuel, who conducted the elections that saw Obaji to victory countered Ajangson thus:
'George you where the same person who wrote a petition to House of Assembly and now you are calling their resolution 'unfortunate, unethical and politically procured decree'? It's a pity that a young man like you is towing this line.
'I am not surprise by your write up at list I brought it up and told the committee to expect this from you and your partners. You can take it to court if you like but all I can assure you is that the truth will prevail and Caleb led exco will be vindicated just as it has always been. Who God has blessed, no man can curse not even you. The blessing of God is upon them you are just wasting your time…'
In a call put across by NegroidHaven to the Special Assistant on Students Affairs and Youth Mobilisation to the Governor of Cross River State, Mr Michael Abuo, concerning the decision of the House the latter said he was comfortable with the decision and appreciative both of the CRSHA and stakeholders who were persistent in resolving the crisis. According to Abuo, politics is all about sacrifice, not a do or die affair. Albeit, it has been gleaned from some suspicious quarters that SA Abuo is behind the litigation the embittered faction is contemplating. This sentiment has been dismissed by a member of Lawrence's faction.
It should be noted that the swearing-in ceremony of Comr. Obaji's presidency was done on 16 August at #5 Nyok Esu Street, Calabar Municipality at the Secretariat of NACRISS WW and was witnessed to by Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Branding to the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Dornclaimz Enamhe being supported by Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr Asu Okang, 18 LGA worldwide presidents, and a host of others. The Legal Adviser of NACRISS WW Legal Adviser Barr. Tony Adinye Ocn did the official oath taking. On the other hand, the inauguration ceremony of Comr Lawrence's NACRISS WW EXCO was done in Pyramid Hotel Conference Hall (other sentiments has it that it was done in Chief Kanu Agabi Chambers) on 9 September 2016 in the presence of Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Mrs Tina Banko, Special Assistant (SA) on Students Affairs & Youth Mobilisation to Governor Ben Ayade, Prince Michael Abuo, etc. The barrister that performed the inauguration was one Barr. Ijom.
From every indication NACRISS WW is still running a parallel government. Hmmmmm…
Efio-Ita Nyok
Is the Publisher & Editor of NegroidHaven.org
