CROSS RIVERS STATE GOVERNOR'S PERFORMANCE EXCITES STAKEHOLDERS

Cross River Gov. Ben Ayade 

2019: A Warning to Efik Politicians
By Michael Ekpang.

The exceptional performance of the Cross River state Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade and the developmental pace in the state, has continued to elicit support and applause.



The overwhelming outpour of commendations from concerned stakeholders who are impressed and have therefore, called on all to stand behind the governor and encourage him on.

Michael Ekpang, a strong advocate for good governance and entrenched democratic processes for the state and nation, has come out to issue out a warning to politicians from Southern senatorial zone to respect the governorship arrangement for a balance in the political system.

According to Ekpang, "any politician from the Southern Senatorial District who dares to contest the 2019 governorship election in contravention of the zoning arrangement that maintains balance of power in the state, will inexorably condemn the Efik people to political wilderness as far as the Office of Governor is concerned.

He noted that, "Donald Duke an Efik minority became governor in 1999 the Atam people made it happen", stressing that, "Northern Cross River, Central Cross River as well as Biase, Akamkpa and our Ejagham brothers and sisters in Odukpani and Calabar Municipality are one in many ways".

Ekpang, an advocate of an entrenched democratic structural processes, opined that, "with such a huge voting block, the 'Atam people' will ensure no Efik smells the governorship seat again if they violate the zoning arrangement by running for governorship in 2019".

He warned that, "killing the zoning arrangement will simply mean that Efik, who are minority, have kissed good-bye to the governorship of the state".

But reading his points further, Ekpang used the quotes of one of Nigeria's and Africa's great writers and author, the famous Chinua Achebe who in one of his books said; "a man who brings ant-infested firewood to his home should not complain when visited by lizards".

A word is enough for the wise, Michael Ekpang concluded.