Efio-Ita Nyok|9 December 2016
… If we do that, Governor Ayade will win; if we do that, Joe Agi SAN will win; if we do that PDP will win; if we do that, APC will win; if we do that, those people who really need the winning —the masses, will win. But their winning comes last, we should hasten it
NegroidHaven correspondence yesterday 8th December caught up with the Honourable Member representing Biase State Constituency at the 8th Cross River State House of Assembly (CRSHA), Mr Ogbor Ogbor Udop (Rootman) at his Ekorinim House of Assembly Quarters residence before the Honourable Member left for Abuja in view of the imminent 9th December 2016 Supreme Court judgment in the ongoing case, Joe Agi SAN Vs CRS PDP with Governor Ben Ayade as third respondent.
Our correspondence called on Hon. Ogbor who agreed to grant her an interview in retrospect of his Wednesday 7th December birthday. The Honourable Member reacted to a handful of inquiries addressed to him by our correspondence notable among which is his take on today's definitive judgement by the Supreme Court of Nigeria on the candidature of Governor Benedict Ayade as gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2015 general election. Seeing that the incident of today is a highpoint in the state political history and one that will redefine Cross River State sociopolitical climate, NegroidHaven thought it wise to capture the brief remark of Ogbor before publishing the full interview subsequently.
Hon. Ogbor decried that this suit was happening at a time when the state was supposed to be thinking of moving forward. Nevertheless, he noted that though his response would be deemed prejudicial he was happy because the incident is allowing for the demonstration of elements of democracy. Ogbor proceeded to submit that whatever the outcome of the verdict would be, a believer of the rule of law should be comfortable with it. Finally, he submitted that the masses, those according to him, who really need the winning, will win.
'Whatever verdict that will come, a believer of rule of law should be comfortable first; but, sometimes our institution being human might not be perfect, we may do one thing or the other in error, the greatest appeal therefore goes to God.
'Because we are here talking about Cross River conscience, in arguing anything politics that has to do with Cross River, especially at this highest level as much as possible (he repeated the last phrase thrice), I know that it is not easy, but I put the interest of Cross River first!, he continued.
'If we do that, Governor Ayade will win; if we do that, Joe Agi SAN will win; if we do that PDP will win; if we do that, APC will win; if we do that, those people who really need the winning —the masses, will win. But their winning comes last, we should hasten it', he concluded.
Though Nigerian politicians are known for being evasive when responding to thorny questions, Ogbor's response was witty and philosophical as possible. It should be recalled that Mr Joe Agi SAN is asking Nigeria's apex court to declare him the appropriate gubernatorial candidate of the PDP seeing that Gov Ayade lied on oath about his age. According to available evidence, Gov Ayade was born in three different dates and at different locations.
However, let's see how it finally fares today in court. I pray, like Ogbor has said, that the judgement be in favour of masses —Cross Riverians!
Efio-Ita Nyok
Is a Blogger, the Editor & Publisher of NegroidHaven.org
