Efio-Ita Nyok|23 July 2017
Ceejay Ojong has written an intelligent piece 'Should Governorship go to Old Ikom?' Old Ikom comprising Ikom, Boki & Etung LGAs not having occupy Office of Governor of Cross River State. He has highlighted seven old LGAs in Cross River, namely,
i. Old Obudu: Obudu & Obanliku
ii. Old Ogoja: Ogoja, Yala & Bekwarra in what is now termed Northern Senatorial District
iii. old Ikom (Now Ikom, Boki & Etung),
iv. Old Obubra: Obubra, Yakurr & Abi in the now Central Senatorial District
v. Old Akamkpa: Akamkpa & Biase
vi. Old Odukpani: Odukpani & Akpabuyo
vii. Calabar Municipality: Calabar Municipality & Calabar South, Bakassi was carved from Akpabuyo and Calabar Municipality. He has demonstrated how Old Ikom hasn't had a shut at the trio of Governor, Deputy Governor and Acting Governor.
Ok folks. Let's hit it raw to enlighten all and especially those who are sentimental about the imaginary boundaries of North, Central and South Senatorial Districts of Cross River State.
1) Strictly speaking there is no such division as it concerns the Office of Governor of the State. It only relates to what it is Senatorial Districts.
2) There is no where it is cast in stone that any one person or section must by all means do 8 years irrespective of quality of governance.
3) The Civilian Governors and Deputy Governors though representing the entire State have at most been products of particular LGAs in the State.
4) I mentioned in my earlier post that if we follow LGAs Old Ikom would feel most marginalized because they have neither produced Governor or Deputy Governor throughout the history of the State.
5) We had seven old LGAs when we split with AKS in September 1987. i. Old Obudu (Now Obudu & Obanliku), ii. Old Ogoja (Now Ogoja, Yala & Bekwara) in what is now termed NSD. We had iii. old Ikom (Now Ikom, Boki & Etung), iv. Old Obubra (Now Obubra, Yakurr & Abi) in the now CSD. And we had v.old Akamkpa (Now Akamkpa & Biase), vi. Old Odukpani (now Odukpani & Akpabuyo) vii. Calabar Municipality (now Calabar Municipality & Calabar South) Bakassi was carved from Akpabuyo and Calabar Municipality. All of these are now considered SND.
6) In terms Governors and Deputy Governors by LGAs under democratic rule since 1979 as follows:
Old Ogoja (Yala – Dr. Matthias Offoboche Dep. Gov. 1979-1983, Ogoja: Justice Fidelis I. Nnang Dep. Gov. Oct. – Dec. 1983 and Bekwara: Walter Eneji Dep. Gov. 2003 – 2007. Note that the last Speaker from Yala recently acted as Governor for at least 3 months.
Old Obudu (Obudu – Prof. Ayade Gov. 2015 – , Obanliku: Former Speaker who later became a member of HoR had acted as Governor for at least three months.
Old Ikom (Ikom, Boki & Etung LGAs): Nil Governor, Nil Dep. Gorvernor and nil acting Governor.
Old Obubra (Obubra – Chief John Oyom Okpa Dep. Gov. 1999 – 2003, Yakurr: Chief Clement Ebri Gov. 1991 – 1993 and Senator Liyel Imoke; Gov. 2007 – 2015.
Old Akamkpa (Akamkpa: strictly nil but loosely Prof Solomon Unoh was nominated from old Akamkpa as civilian Dep. Gov. to the Military Governor. Biase: Prof. Ivara Ejemot Esu, Dep. Gov. 2015 -)
Old Odukpani (Odukpani LGA: Barr. Efiok Cobham, Dep. Gov. 2007 – 2015. Akpabuyo: Donald Duke, Gov. 1999-2003.
Old Calabar Municipality: Calabar South & Calabar Municipality: Donald Duke. Note that Donald Duke has origins from both Akpabuyo and Calabar Municipality/Calabar South given that the main efik families and ruling houses are scattered across Calabar South/ Calabar Municipality, Akpabuyo, Odukpani and Bakassi. His mum was of the Qua stock in Calabar Municipality.
So from the above isn't it obvious that Old Ikom has been short-changed all this while even if not deliberately? They ought lay prime claim to the seat of Governor on the balance of equity. However, my personal opinion on all of this is that: 'We are one people'.
We need not create imaginary divisions in our heads and hearts but should look out for the best. And if that best that will serve our collective destiny most comes from the north or anywhere else across the State in the next elections then so be it. Nobody cast 8 years anywhere in stone'. Nobody pre-arranged any rotation of power along the current senatorial arrangements.
It occurred by default and some fortuity. Apart from the last Governorship election, every other Senatorial District has been known to contest the post. Who won was only therefore a matter of chance and luck. We ought not therefore to overly burden ourselves with zoning especially where every so-called zone has now had the opportunity to be Governor of the State.
What should concern us most is who can deliver on the job irrespective of where the person comes from across the State.
Ojong finally settles for credibility not ethnicity.
Efio-Ita Nyok
Is a Blogger, the Editor & Publisher of NegroidHaven
