Eugene Upah|29 July 2017
Attention:
Governor Ben Ayade
Senator Liyel Imoke
Mr. Donald Duke
All Elder statesmen/Political stakeholders in Cross River State
Cc:
All Ex and serving Senators of the Central and Southern Senatorial districts of CRS.
I thank God for making it possible for this article to get to you in good health, I am appealing for your compassionate perusal of this piece, as it is our (people of Ogoja’s) only hope of an amicable resolution to the heart breaking injustice meted against the Ogoja man from time immemorial.
It is not news to anyone that Ogoja had played host and given birth to LGAs, regions, and even states before and during the last state creation exercise. The story of Ogoja as a mother Local government/Province to the northern senatorial district, and indeed the bulk of central senatorial district of Cross River State is likened to the story of an enterprising business venture with no profit to show for; it has an ancient name, has made other big external business conglomerate thriving better than the host itself, produced men and women working for, and representing the world over, has given birth to LGAs, states but still hasn’t attained the level of being a state on her own. Very sad indeed!
The northern axis of Cross River which comprises of five LGAs have produced a total of seven senators from the 2nd Republic of Distinguished Senator Joseph Wayas to the incumbent Senator (Mrs) Rose Oko. While some LGAs have had the opportunity of hosting the slot thrice, twice as the case maybe, Ogoja which unarguably is the host ground of the north has never been given the privilege of been represented even once. The age long rivalry played out in the north against the Ogoja man, the high level injustice, the gang up from within and outside the Northern Cross River State during political “handpicking” has so far not favoured Ogoja and her people. Ogoja LGA has a chequered history of being schemed out of elective and appointive positions despite her frontline position in Nigeria’s political history, the Capital of the old Ogoja Province has nothing to show for in terms of physical development or an industrial estate except a mere (ceremonial) name.
To a Northerner or Southerner, a person from any part of Northern Cross River State is collectively known as an “Ogoja man or woman”, infact, it is the reason why most persons don’t know the level of discrimination and sidelining the people of Ogoja have suffered for a very long time. This publication is not intended to instigate hatred or discrimination amongst other sister LGAs of Northern Cross River axis, all we are saying is, for the interest of equity, justice, and a fair quota system sharing formula let a (core) son or daughter of Ogoja from either Ibil, Ishibori, Mbube or Ekajuk get the next shot at the senate in 2019 to consolidate the good work Senator (Mrs) Rose Oko has done (and is still doing). I write this piece knowing that in as much as I feel deprived, any right thinking youth of Ogoja who is a student of history wouldn’t campaign for or vote Senator Rose Oko for a second term.
I have attached a table with names of all Senators who have represented Northern Cross River State from inception and as can be seen Ogoja has not been represented and ranks lowest in the area of highest elective positions held till date. Let justice prevail on the Ogoja man; let our voices be heard louder at least for once.
My name is Eugene Upah.
I am a concerned Son of Ogoja
