The Deputy Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State, Alphonsus Oga Eba, has accused Governor Bassey Otu of treating the people of Northern Cross River with disrespect, alleging that the governor sees Cross Riverians as "clowns" and "blind people."
Eba, who spoke during an interview with The Whistler, said his political disagreement with Governor Otu was never about retaining his position as Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), but about what he described as the continued marginalisation and humiliation of the Northern Senatorial District.
The former APC chairman maintained that despite delivering significant electoral support to the ruling party over the years, the people of Northern Cross River have not received the recognition and respect they deserve from the current administration.
According to him, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC found no wrongdoing against him during the internal party crisis that eventually led to his exit from the party, insisting that the governor was determined to remove him despite the party leadership's position.
Eba argued that his removal symbolised a broader disregard for the North rather than a personal political battle.
He alleged that Governor Otu views the people of the region as politically insignificant, saying they are treated "like clowns" who gather merely to celebrate without being taken seriously.
"We bring the highest organic votes, yet we are treated with contempt. He looks at us as people who are poor in reasoning and wealth. We are like clowns before him. If everyone is blind, someone must stand up and say we are not," Eba stated.
The PDP deputy governorship candidate also questioned why the APC failed to retain the party chairmanship in Northern Cross River after his tenure, pointing out that previous chairmen from the Central and Southern Senatorial Districts had enjoyed extended periods in office.
He argued that denying another northerner the opportunity to lead the party demonstrated a lack of respect for the district and its contributions to the party's electoral victories.
On the political future of the state, Eba insisted that the governorship zoning arrangement should be respected, declaring that the PDP governorship candidate, Sir Arthur Jarvis, would complete his tenure before power returns to the Central Senatorial District in 2031.
He further challenged the Otu administration to defend its performance rather than rely on political calculations ahead of the 2027 elections.
Eba also dismissed suggestions that Northern Cross River voters could be swayed by financial inducements, insisting that the people would defend their political rights and dignity.
He hinted that he possesses additional information about alleged private remarks made by Governor Otu concerning political stakeholders in the state, promising to reveal them at an appropriate time.
As of the time of filing this report, Governor Bassey Otu and the Cross River State Government had not publicly responded to the allegations made by Eba.
Post A Comment: