PDP : 2014 WARD CONGRESSES

2014 WARD CONGRESSES FOR 3 AD-HOC DELEGATES
ELECTORAL COMMITTEES & ELECTORAL APPEAL PANELS
Part I 2(i) of the Electoral Guidelines for 2014 Primary Elections of the Peoples Democratic Party stipulates that each Ward Chapter of the Party shall elect 3 (three) Ward Ad-Hoc Delegates at a Special Ward Congress for the purpose of nominating candidates for the offices of Governor of a State, member of the National Assembly (Senate and House of Representatives) and member of the State House of Assembly. The Guidelines also state that at least one of the three Ad-Hoc Delegates so nominated shall be a woman.
Accordingly, the National Working Committee (NWC) of our Great Party has nominated the following Party members to serve on Electoral Committees and Electoral Appeal Panels for the conduct of Special Ward Congresses nationwide on Saturday, November 1, 2014.
AKWA-IBOM STATE
Electoral Committee
Name
1. Sen. Abdul Azeez .A. Ibrahim - Chairman
2. Mrs. Franca Ikwueze - Member
3. Hon. Jafaru Mohammed - ,,
4. Alh. Saidu Garba - ,,
5. Mr. Noble Akenge - Member/Secretary
Electoral Appeal Panel
Name
1. Barr. Cosmos Ugwese - Chairman
2. Mr. Stanley Akiotu - Member
3. Hajia Fatima Gambo - Member/Secretary
BAYELSA STATE
Electoral Committee
Name
1. Prince Adesina Buraimoh Ademuyewo - Chairman
2. Hon. Saratu Mamman Jawo - Member
3. Hon. Iniobong Oki - ,,
4. Francis Adigwe - ,,
5. Alh. Mohammed Shittu - Member/Sec.
Electoral Appeal Panel
Name
1. Prof. Israel Owate - Chairman
2. Philip Alechenu - Member
3. Dr. Sylvester Omaji - Member/Secretary
CROSS RIVER STATE
Electoral Committee
Name
1. Alh. Shu’aib Oyedokun - Chairman
2. Hon. Rabi’u Bako - Member
3. Sen. Emmanuel Anosike - ,,
4. Akeem Animasaun - ,,
5. Barr. Yakubu Maikyau - Member/Secretary
Electoral Appeal Panel
Name
1. Hon. Suleiman Kokori - Chairman
2. Mrs. Victoria Madaki - Member
3. Blesson Akpoluma - Member/Secretary
DELTA STATE
Electoral Committee
Name
1. Josephine Anenih - Chairman
2. Hon. Bernard Ochepa - Member
3. Liman Kwande - ,,
4. Sen. J.K. Brambaifa - ,,
5. Lawrence Onyekachi Ezenwa - Member/Sec. (08066413799)
Electoral Appeal Panel
Name
1. Gen. Moh’d Ibrahim Gana (Rtd) - Chairman
2. Hon. Sani Toro - Member
3. Chief Kitoye Eke - Member/Secretary
EDO STATE
Electoral Committee
Name
1. Hon. Chris Agbobu - Chairman
2. Hon. Frank Anioma - Member
3. Engr. (Mrs.) Chinwe Mbah - ,,
4. Alh. Ibrahim Bashir - ,,
5. Hon. Ejike Ani - Member/Secretary
Electoral Appeal Panel
Name
1. Hon. Gbenga Oduwaiye - Chairman
2. Alh. Ya’u Garin Gabas - Member
3. Alh. Farouk Ahmed - Member/Secretary
RIVERS STATE
Electoral Committee
Name
1. Dr. Yakubu Gambo - Chairman
2. Dr. Olu Ayewoh - Member
3. Chief (Mrs.) Uzo Nwandu - ,,
4. Suleiman Lawal Kauru - ,,
5. Mr. Chuks Akwitti - Member/Secretary
Electoral Appeal Panel
Name
1. Barr. Afarm Okeke - Chairman
2. Mr. Lambat Oparah - Member
3. Mr. Ferdinand Ibezim - Member/Secretary
ADAMAWA STATE
Electoral Committee
Name
1. Sen. Bala Adamu - Chairman
2. Hon. Daniel Gomai - Member
3. Mal. Shareef Audu - ,,
4. Mrs. Adeola Arabi - ,,
5. Engr. Greg Amajoyi - Member/Secretary
Electoral Appeal Panel
Name
1. Prof. Ani Offiong Ani - Chairman
2. Engr. Moh’d Sani Jabaka - Member
3. Barr. Mouktar Abubakar - Member/Secretary
BAUCHI STATE
Electoral Committee
Name
1. Mr. Bulus Dureng - Chairman
2. Hajia Aisha Kaita - Member
3. Aminu Labaran - ,,
4. Hon. Salisu Dabo - ,,
5. Princess Dunni Odu - Member/Secretary
Electoral Appeal Panel
Name
1. Abba Tata Gana - Chairman
2. Hon. Danjuma Mele - Member
3. Emmanuel Asufi - Member/Secretary
GOMBE STATE
Electoral Committee
Name
1. Bashir Bukar Rimin Zayan - Chairman
2. Hon. Jeffrey Moses Owor - Member
3. Hajia Hauwa Kida - ,,
4. Zakari Adibo - ,,
5. Barr. Ibrahim Garba - Member/Secretary
Electoral Appeal Panel
Name
1. Chief Ebenezer Babatope - Chairman
2. Dr. Audu Jacob - Member
3. Bello Mahmoud Jama’are - Member/Secretary
TARABA STATE
Electoral Committee
Name
1. Dr. Akilu Indabawa - Chairman
2. Chief Victor Okereke - Member
3. Hon. Udo Ekpenyong - ,,
4. Ahmed Musa Kumo - ,,
5. Princess Busola Balogun - Member/Secretary
Electoral Appeal Panel
Name
1. Hon. Abdullahi Gumel - Chairman
2. Dedan Babale - Member
3. Mrs. Jamila Danladi - Member/Secretary
JIGAWA STATE
Electoral Committee
Name
1. Prince Kayode Adetokunbo SAN -Chairman
2. Bala Shu’aibu - Member
3. Hon. Aminu Suleja - ,,
4. Nwaebuni John-Chux - ,,
5. Dr. Hauwa Husseini - Member/Secretary
Electoral Appeal Panel
Name
1. Barr. Ibrahim Jalo - Chairman
2. Usman El-Kudan - Member
3. Chief (Hon.) Darius Obiene - Member/Secretary
KADUNA STATE
Electoral Committee
Name
1. Dr. Steve Oru - Chairman
2. Mohammed Baba Iyali - Member
3. Hon. Phillip Olabode - ,,
4. Hon. Bature Umar Sambo - ,,
5. Arc. Benson Ezem - Member/Secretary
Electoral Appeal Panel
Name
1. Chief Tunde Akindehin - Chairman
2. Dr. Arab Rukuje - Member
3. Musa Ahmadu - Member/Secretary
KANO STATE
Electoral Committee
Name
1. Alh. Abdullahi Ohiamah - Chairman
2. Hon. Abubakar Mijinyawa - Member
3. Dr. Godson Nnaka - ,,
4. Dr. (Mrs.) Joy Agi - ,,
5. Hon. Bade Falade - Member/Secretary
Electoral Appeal Panel
Name
1. Alh. Suleiman Mohammed - Chairman
2. Jude Efienokwu - Member
3. Barr. Amina .S. Junaidu - Member/Secretary
KATSINA STATE
Electoral Committee
Name
1. HE Celestiane Omehia - Chairman
2. Dallami Tashan Durumi - Member
3. Gida Yinwada - ,,
4. Dr. Bashir Balarabe - ,,
5. Charles Menegbo - Member/Secretary
Electoral Appeal Panel
Name
1. Engr. Tony Utuk - Chairman
2. Aminu Sankara - Member
3. Mrs. Ifeoma Agbomah - Member/Secretary
KEBBI STATE
Electoral Committee
Name
1. Hon. Mansur Rabiu Malumfashi - Chairman
2. Sen. El-Jibril Doguwa - Member
3. Abdullahi Kankara - ,,
4. Hon. Sanya Ominrin - ,,
5. Sa’adatu Abdullahi Girei - Member/Secretary
Electoral Appeal Panel
Name
1. Prof. Jerry Agada - Chairman
2. Patrick Aiden Diwa - Member
3. Barr. Barth Igboke - Member/Secretary
SOKOTO STATE
Electoral Committee
Name
1. Dr. ahmed Bawa Abimuku - Chairman
2. Sen. Mathew Mbu - Member
3. Mrs. Chidinma Onyekwelu - ,,
4. Hajiya Zainab Kamilu - ,,
5. Alh. Habibu Mustafa - Member/Secretary
Electoral Appeal Panel
Name
1. Sen. Umaru Tsauri - Chairman
2. Barr. Vincent Okpaleke - Member
3. Barr. Saratu Umar - Member/Secretary
ZAMFARA STATE
Electoral Committee
Name
1. Hon. Ado Dogo - Chairman
2. Clement Ali Kato - Member
3. Alh. Abubakar Bello Maroki - ,,
4. Mohammed Garba Baba - ,,
5. Barr. Danjuma Maina - Member/Secretary
Electoral Appeal Panel
Name
1. Barr. Adeshina Agbebe - Chairman
2. Alh. Hussaini Baba - Member
3. Richard Arisco Osemwengie - Member/Secretary
ABIA STATE
Electoral Committee
Name
1. Barr. Tony Ceasar Okeke - Chairman
2. Hon. Alimi .Y. Abubakar - Member
3. Sam Owa - ,,
4. Sen. Caleb Zagi - ,,
5. Chief Allwell Igbo - Member/Secretary
Electoral Appeal Panel
Name
1. Mrs. Ashanti Bekwai - Chairman
2. Bilkisu Magoro - Member
3. Wale Ogunrinde - Member/Secretary
ENUGU STATE
Electoral Committee
Name
1. AIG Mohammed Abbas (Rtd) - Chairman
2. Chief Rowland Guobadia - Member
3. Ken Egba - ,,
4. Dr. Henry Adagaba - ,,
5. Alh. Usman Shehu Idris - Member/Secretary
Electoral Appeal Panel
Name
1. Chief Monday Elere - Chairman
2. Alh. Usman Idris - Member
3. Chief Akin Taiwo - Member/Secretary
EBONYI STATE
Electoral Committee
Name
1. Dr. Musa Babayo - Chairman
2. Sen Saidu Umar Kumo - Member
3. Dr. Collins Udofia - ,,
4. Chinyere Oguguo - ,,
5. Barr. Maidugu Bashir - Member/Secretary
Electoral Appeal Panel
Name
1. Hon. Dennis Alonge - Chairman
2. Elder Tade Bello - Member
3. Mr. Adoga Ibrahim - Member/Secretary
IMO STATE
Electoral Committee
Name
1. Hon. Mohammed Kumalia - Chairman
2. Barr. Nnamdi Akani - Member
3. Chief Taiwo Akeju - ,,
4. Mr. Joe Edem - ,,
5. Chief Damian Enekwachi - Member/Secretary
Electoral Appeal Panel
Name
1. Chief Patrick - Chairman
2. Hajia Amina Bambado - Member
3. Alh. Dahiru Yabo - Member/Secretary
ANAMBRA STATE
Electoral Committee
Name
1. Sen. Zik Sunday - Chairman
2. Tochukwu Cornelius Okeke - Member
3. Babangida Modibo .U. Dasin - ,,
4. Chief Okon Akpanosong - ,,
5. Pascal Uzo - Member/Secretary
Electoral Appeal Panel
Name
1. Barr. Yakubu Abdullahi - Chairman
2. Joseph Irimagha - Member
3. Tope Ademiluyi - Member/Secretary
PLATEAU STATE
Electoral Committee
Name
1. Jack Tilley Gyado - Chairman
2. Hilda Nyan - Member
3. Mrs. Hannatu Ullam - ,,
4. Dr. Tony Okam - ,,
5. Engr. Abdulazeez Usman - Member/Secretary
Electoral Appeal Panel
Name
1. Chinedu Nmandi - Chairman
2. Mohammed Tunde Umar - Member
3. Hon. Maroof Akinwande - Member/Secretar
BENUE STATE
Electoral Committee
Name
1. Chief Chike Udenze - Chairman
2. Andetarang Irammae - Member
3. Hon. Adamu Kalba - ,,
4. Prince Emeka Eze - ,,
5. James Katagum - Member/Secretary
Electoral Appeal Panel
Name
1. Barr. Umar Nadada - Chairman
2. Ubong Udoh - Member
3. Akin Oyegoke - Member/Secretary
KOGI STATE
Electoral Committee
Name
1. Chief Maxwell Okudoyi - Chairman
2. Alh. Zubairu Ismail - Member
3. Hon. Chris Iroegbu - ,,
4. Hajia Nana Saulawa - ,,
5. Patience Ofori - Member/Secretary
Electoral Appeal Panel
Name
1. Bashir Awotorebo - Chairman
2. Solomon Kewa - Member
3. Hon. Nasiru Mohammed - Member/Secretary
NIGER STATE
Electoral Committee
Name
1. Mr. Okechukwu Nnadozie - Chairman
2. Yeye Bola - Member
3. Obinna Uzor - ,,
4. Amb. Abdullahi Bage - ,,
5. Hon. Tijjani Kumalia - Member/Secretary
Electoral Appeal Panel
Name
1. Hon. Nuhu Sani - Chairman
2. Nasir Nasir - Member
3. Barr. Wale Ojo - Member/Secretary
NASARAWA STATE
Electoral Committee
Name
1. Chief Ishola Filani - Chairman
2. Engr. Dan Ohiomoba - Member
3. Mohammed Mustapha Sukola - ,,
4. Dr. Kabir Illelah - ,,
5. Dr. Victorial Bellu - Member/Secretary
Electoral Appeal Panel
Name
1. Babatunde Mohammed - Chairman
2. Ibrahim Abdulraham Michika - Member
3. Eze Nneamaka - Member/Secretary
KWARA STATE
Electoral Committee
Name
1. Sen. Iyiola Omisore - Chairman
2. Dr. Charles Nwekaku - Member
3. Mallam Umar Abdullahi - ,,
4. Albert Amacheree - ,,
5. Sule Labo Gise - Member/Secretary
Electoral Appeal Panel
Name
1. Barr. Ody Ajike - Chairman
2. Hon. Halima Labbo - Member
3. Mohammed N. Tanko - Member/Secretary
F.C.T, ABUJA
Electoral Committee
Name
1. Dr. (Mrs.) Angela Mba - Chairman
2. Hon. Adejare Bello - Member
3. Hon. Magaji Umar - ,,
4. Kabir Dabo Kankiya - ,,
5. Hussaini Yerima - Member/Secretary
Electoral Appeal Panel
Name
1. Dr. Umar Sani Hauwa - Chairman
2. Valentine Obi - Member
3. Hajia Maryam Lamian - Member/Secretary
LAGOS STATE
Electoral Committee
Name
1. Amb. Obed Wadzani - Chairman
2. Mr. Leye Olabode - Member
3. Barr. Amuwa Benson - ,,
4. Shade Balogun - ,,
5. Kole Omololu - Member/Secretary
Electoral Appeal Panel
Name
1. Garba .D. Yusuf Anchau - Chairman
2. Tambo Horsfall - Member
3. Briskila Mujambo - Member/Secretary
OGUN STATE
Electoral Committee
Name
1. Dr. Saka Balogun - Chairman
2. Chief Eddy Abang - Member
3. Barr. Chinwe Mbakwem - ,,
4. Alh. Mohammed Mongana - ,,
5. Okey Aduradu - Member/Secretary
Electoral Appeal Panel
Name
1. Dr. J.O. Omuya - Chairman
2. Hajia Sa’adatu Alkyabba Kaltungo - Member
3. Barr. Fatima Jimeta - Member/Secretary
OSUN STATE
Electoral Committee
Name
1. Hon. Abraham Jatau - Chairman
2. Princess Mary Ekwe - Member
3. Barr. Nonye Nwagwu - ,,
4. Mrs. Nafisatu Garba Zungum - ,,
5. Mr. Foluso Craig - Member/Secretary
Electoral Appeal Panel
Name
1. Chief Maxwell Okudoh - Chairman
2. Mr. Gbenga Oladele - Member
3. Stephen W. Kibadu - Member/Secretary
ONDO STATE
Electoral Committee
Name
1. Hon. Austin Opara - Chairman
2. Sen. Lekan Mustapha - Member
3. Dr. Bayo Faforiji - ,,
4. Kabir Usman - ,,
5. Mrs. Ngozi Enyia - Member/Secretary
Electoral Appeal Panel
Name
1. Abdulmalik Mahmood - Chairman
2. Chief Oke Ezenwa - Member
3. Jumba Kachallah - Member/Secretary
OYO STATE
Electoral Committee
Name
1. HE Ali Sa’ad Birnin Kudu - Chairman
2. Gabriel Oluohu - Member
3. Hon. Mohammed Bichi - ,,
4. Tony Okocha - ,,
5. Amb. Sonny Abang - Member/Secretary
Electoral Appeal Pane
... Those whose passports had been collected earlier for the purposes of maniputing the process should present themselves to be so elected in the various Wards in Cross River State or risk being thrown out.

BAD POLITICS ACCORDING TO MR. MATTHEW OKIRI

BAD POLITICS KILLINGS US: CRS IS NOT FOR SALE
By MATTHEW OKIRI

Those who are endorsing Senator Ndoma Egba are not Democrats. They are not informed about the politics and dynamics of Cross River State. I weep for my State, I cry for my peaceful Cross River.
Cross River State is for all of us, whether we are rich or poor. The way things are going clearly indicates that a class have emerged in the state whose sole aim is to continually oppress the less privileged and weakened working class.
The masses in our State have suddenly disappeared into the air because of the politics of money and class elitism.
Those who want peace are those calling for trouble. Why Senator Ndoma Egba? Where are we going? We shall cry to the Moon and the Sun for help son and very soon.
We remember a couple years ago General Obasenjo, tried a third tenure bid to return back to Aso Rock, but his plans were aborted by a few that were committed to Democracy.
General Obasenjo’s action, then demonstrated that he wanted to buy Nigeria as one of his private properties.
Thank God Ex –Vice President A tiku, is still alive to confirm this story to any one of us that has an interest to know more. Elongation of tenure to more than 2 times in office is bad business and bad democracy.
The people of Cross River State should stand up and ask why particular people must keep on doing the same thing and others are watching in silence.
The story has now been Cross River State. There is an extension of modern capitalism, drawing nearer to the state from the hands of a few individuals who have acquired excessive wealth from society and now wants nothing but power to oppress our bewitched peasantry.
The problem in Cross River State is not the sellers but the buyers. Those who want to sale Cross River State are maintaining the laws of the equilibrium a point where the forces of demand and supply have to meet.
The problem is the buyers and the stakeholders that are claiming to be monopolistic and arrogant. These buyers feel they are well informed and educated about the market conditions of the politics of Cross River State.
It has been sensed that our people do not want to denounce this old Brigade of Senator Ndoma Egba. He is going back to the senate for the rest of his life to do what? Senator Imoke, has told us he is not going back to the Senate.
We appeal to Senator Ndoma Egba, for the interest of humanity to allow somebody else to represent the Central senatorial district in 2015.
Senator Ndoma Egba’s continuous bid to go back to the Senate is undemocratic, senseless, selfish, and a slight on the integrity of the people of the Central Senatorial district.
If he has no intension of buying Cross River State, we appeal to him to step down. How many times did Senator Joseph Wayas, return back to the Senate?
What is the crime against the people of Cross River State, if they ask Mr. Jeddy Agba to return 90% of his wealth to the people State?
The people of Cross River State are of the opinion that both Mr. Jeddy Agba and Senator Ndoma Egba are members of the old brigade. They are not fresh; we need fresh hands to pilot the affairs of our State in 2015.
Cross River must survive and the Northern Senatorial District shall definitely the No. 1 citizen of the State in a couple of Months.

N/b
This is my personal opinion think twice before you use it for the purpose that it is not meant and designed for. As a citizen of Cross River everyone of has the right to expression, while we all recognize our limits constructively.

SEN. PROF. BEN AYADE CROWNED BY GOD... HMMMMM

Senator Prof. Benedict Ayade, Governor Cross River State 2015.
By - INOK SOLOMON

Finally before the third surprised knock, all will accept Senator Benedict Ayade as one crowned by God to be Governor of Cross River State from 29th May, 2015. The first Knock was when He saw the needs and plight of the State for a Governor who can re engineer and propel the State to another strategic level. Many wondered, got a change of heart and denied those they support without bases. Some without knowing said the Senate was better for him.

Second knock, came when He Changed the political environment immediately he started consultations, in fact some have no option than to keep Sentiments, friendship, personal aspirations for positions aside. Today from the North, Central and South, all are going back to drawing board to reassess their positions.

The third Knock will soon come and that is when all with wisdom without foresight will appreciate those with wisdom and foresight. Senator Benedict Ayade came out with Change target full, with compacted blend of Donald Duke and Liyel Imoke, and kept even the great having hopes and seeing better. Senator Benedict Ayade has created a new Cross River State in the hearts of great and progressive thinkers and growth setters. One great spirit of growth is to see the future today and that Senator Benedict Ayade has demonstrated.

Senator Benedict Ayade have created a large Cross River State of involvement, a State with Jobs full and State for the People, by the people and of the people. Senator Benedict Ayade in a nut shell have open the doors of new generation of digital concept of growth based society full with talents driven.

Today I can proudly say, we have a new Cross River State where place of stay matters not, but your talent will drive you to open doors. Time to walk the corridors of offices with one shirts, one trousers for days, months and years in search of Jobs is gradually coming to an end. Senator Benedict Ayade is Building a society of determination of one's faith by the powers of our talented hands.

Nothing is so painful like seeing a man at forty still begging bread. Cross Riverians, time to look beyond just the oratory powers of Senator Benedict Ayade and see his heart. His presence do not drive pride and ego but a spirit to all who are poor to see that hope is not lost. Senator Benedict Ayade deep in his heart is propelling our inner weakness of only the Rich can get Richer to the convictions of the poor getting Richer with hard work and diligence.

It is not Doro Evil anymore but God doing His will in the lives of Cross Riverians.

UC Read : WHY IS HON. GABE USIBE NOT HAPPY?

MY UGLY EXPERIENCE IN THE PRESENTATION OF BLUE PRINT BY GOVERNORSHIP ASPIRANTS TO YALA LOCAL GOVT. CAUCUS
ON THE 12TH OF OCTOBER,2014.
By - HON. GABE USIBE

I have embarked on a great battle with self since the last presentation by Governorship aspirants on Sunday,the 12th of October,2014.I have been embattled because of apprehension of the strokes &quarrels I received from my mum during my formative years for unwittingly not over looking certain ocurrences around me.But realizing the enormity of my experience on the 12th of October,2014,I can't but help voicing.

It's indeed unfortunate that Governorship aspirants of Yala L.Government extraction who presented their blue prints after Barr.Joe Agi (SAN)were asked to take a bow which was contrary to what was meted out to Barr.Agi. ...Though I MAY not be his fan,but permit me to express my unbias view on this very sensitive issue as it bothers on our entire wellbeing. In consolation however,many felt that Hon.(Barr.)Fidel Egoro who's presentation required taking a bow was due to the fact that he stood on the same floor he functioned as Chairman of Council to present his Credo of governance & also haven been a true party faithful.While Rt.(Hon.)Larry Odey was asked to do so as a serving Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly.But in the face of this,many were amazed when Chief Peter Ojie who as former Commissioner was also asked to take a bow on no account,after a multi-myriad rim of praises by one of his allies for distributing well over 52 cars for his political friends across the North.

As Member of the Elders' Forum of the Caucus,I was able to dowse tension when I perceived the near reaction by some Members of the Caucus around me who expressed surprise,worry & unawareness of the beneficiaries of the well over 52 Cars delivered by Chief Ojie to his cronies from Yala,Bekwara,Obudu,Obaliku & may be Ogoja Local Government Council respectively with an attempt to identifying them.Inquiry was also made for the reason/reasons that informed a part of the Caucus requesting he(Chief Ojie) to take a bow as he was no longer a serving Exco Member,besides the fact that he wasn't given such a honour by his Local Government Caucus which he even presides as Caucus leader.Moreso,those who presented before him like Ntufam(Dr.)Peter Oti,Mr.Gerald Ada & others were never given such a privilage.

I'm sincerely apolegetic for this post but I merely communicate public opinion which I consider key in every democratic process & which I consider a bitter pill to swallow on behalf of many grumblers & spectators.

In view of this,we look forward to other aspirants taking a bow in their presentation to Yala Local Government Caucus including the SURE-P Co-ordinator of C.R.S,Mr.Jarigbe Agom who has meritoriously served the Party in different & specific ways.

What is good for the goose is also good for the gander.

Thank you all for your patience in wadding through my piece as I expect your crucifix, depending on the interpretation given to the subject matter.However,let's bear in mind that this post is unbias but rather an attempt to ensure equity & fair play in our evolving democracy.

God bless us all in our quest for Charismatic leaders like Chief Charles Abuo &others who live in many more senses than one.

Hon.(Chief)Gabe Usibe (JP)

IS ETA UGBO THE SON OF NTUFAM FIDELIS UGBO SPEAKING FOR ONE OR FOR ALL?

This is one of his facebook posts :
COUNTDOWN TO PRIMARIES
By - ETA UGBO

It is no longer a secret in Cross River State that the contest for the Office of Governor of Cross River State in 2015 will be a Northern Affair. To give weight to the point, no fewer than 13 politicians North of Cross River, have openly communicated their intentions to contest the ticket. The People's Democratic Party Gubernatorial Primaries have been fixed for 29 November, 2014.

Here is what I think about how the Cross River People's Democratic Party Caucus should vote later in November –

1. Caucus should vote for a ‪#‎Plan‬.
A plan to deliver on the current HE Liyel Imoke Administrations’ focus of – “building a service based economy, supported by strong social services” – and, that Plan must be clear, timed, ambitious and pragmatic at the same time.
The plan must be coherent. It must set out in distinct terms how it intends to grow the Cross River economy; how it intends to manage the debt stock; how it intends to pursue the TINAPA Question; it must inspire hope; lay out clearly how it intends to create jobs, protect the health, security, education, environment budgets and improve the lot of Cross River citizens across the spectrum.
The Plan must keep the promises that HE Donald Duke made to the South; that HE Liyel Imoke made to the Central and must pledge new promises to the North. The plan must answer the Economic Question. The plan must answer the Political Question. The Plan must address the infrastructure deficit, especially as it affects Federal Projects.

2. Secondly, the Caucus should vote for ‪#‎Capacity‬.
Capacity is – an ability or power to do or understand something. So there is something like ‘capacity for hard work’; and there is something like ‘intellectual capacity’. In this sense the caucus must be impressed by the aspirants’ capacity for hard work as well as their intellectual capacities. The Caucus must avoid the temptation to vote for the candidate with the deepest pockets – while money is a big influence in today’s politics and especially in a poor State like Cross River, it must never be the ultimate determinant.

3. Thirdly, the Caucus should vote for ‪#‎Leadership‬.
Leadership refers to the action of leading a group pf people or an organization or the ability to do this; it also is the state or position of being a leader –
- will the Political Party prosper under his leadership? Or
- will the Party be divided into camps in the event of him being Governor?

Caucus must look to the candidate who commands the respect of the Men and the young Turks across the Party, and does so naturally. Caucus must look to the candidate who is able to lead the Men, the big wigs, the elders, the veterans and who effortlessly commands the respect of colleagues and juniors.

4. Lastly, the Caucus should vote for ‪#‎Experience‬.
Other words that can be used interchangeably with ‘experience’ are – practice, skill, knowledge, know-how, understanding and familiarity – Caucus must look for these.

I will close like this. The Caucus must vote for a combination of these –
- the best plan;
- the most capable mind;
- the most relevant experience; and
- the candidate who can provide the best leadership to the People, the Party and the State.

So how will the Caucus vote?

ARCHILIZ ESSIEN SAYS MR GERALD ADAH IS LEADING...

We stumbled on a recent Face book post from one of the active supporters of Mr Gerald Adah who happens to be one of the Governorship Aspirants...

Read the contents and Comments of the Screen munched Pixs below.

CRS 2015 : IS FEMALE GOVERNORSHIP ASPIRANT, A GREAT HOPE ?

DR (MRS) ALICE IDIKU ACHI: THE PERSON, THE OFFICE AND HER PEOPLE

By- KINGSLEY OBASE

Topic Paraphrased by -Admin UPDATE CROSSRIVER

The times are dire in our dear state. The once loud voice is drifting into oblivion. The BIG question remains, “HOW DID WE GET HERE AND HOW CAN WE GET OURSELVES OUT OF WHERE WE ARE NOW”?

A few months ago, I was discussing with a top political figure in the state on why the youths are no longer given a place in governance and leadership. His response, to say the least, was most embarrassing and repudiating, but true. His words, “Nobody gives independence to anybody freely. You have to fight for it. Besides, the youths are not ready to take their chances”. Yet another supposed Elder statesman in the state retorted “the youths don’t have what it takes to run for elective positions, money”.

Then a lot of questions kept flooding my mind:
For how long will we the youths continue to mortgage our future to these “money bags” for peanuts that can’t guarantee us the next meal?
If the elders are so gifted in governance and leadership, how comes there is so much “poverty “in the land?

How comes our health systems are not healthy as should be?

Will the youths ever stop and think to make things right?

Have we ever paused for a while to ponder or reflect on why the “elders” wouldn’t want us to have a sense of independence and REAL empowerment?
>>>>>>Because they want us the youths to remain as willing tools in their hands to be used to do their biddings when they will.

Know we not that a bright youth with vibrant ideas is 10 times better than an “opportunistic money bag” with less promising leadership blueprint?
It is only in Cross River State that a sound idea is murdered even before it is laid on the table. Cross River State is where buying of cars for a selected electorates and dishing out peanuts is considered as empowerment, where logic is illogical, wisdom is foolishness and where common sense makes no sense (Femi Aribisila. Emphasis mine). Because in the face of brazen poverty and lack, the youth is filled with trepidation and as such surrenders to his/her whims and caprices. He/she thinks less of the future but more of the now.
Who believes the lies that a youth cannot govern Cross River State?

Why will we allow them to keep deceiving us that money is what it takes to run for an elective office or that youths don’t have the money to run for elections?
Who says with our energy, creativity and ingenuity we cannot outperform previous administrations?

****IT TAKES A RUDE AWAKENING AND A CONSCIOUS DETERMINATION TO PULL OUT FROM THIS GRIP.

How many top entrepreneurs do we have in Cross River State?
How many medium scale businesses are flourishing in our state?
Why do we “disorganizingly” keep exporting raw materials only to end up importing finished products of these materials?

Cross River State produces lots fruits but how many fruit industries do we have in our state?
Cross River State is renowned for agriculture but how many agro-allied industries do we have in the state?
OR
Is Cross River State a forbidden state for sitting small, medium and even large scale industries? Two answers come to mind: either they don’t have the ideas on how to transform out state or they don’t want us empowered for the future. Either way, an end has finally come.
We can expand, rebrand, diversify and in the process create jobs for our teeming youths, women and all.
Cross River State is not poor. The poverty in the state is only to the extent as humanly and/or leadership induced.

Alas! That trend is about to change because I see light at the end of the tunnel, I see GREAT HOPE because one of the standpoints of ALICE ACHI’s development blueprint is diversification of our economy through alternative power generation, industrialization, rebirth of our tourism and agricultural sectors and creating the enabling environment for businesses to grow and thrive. You too can and will be properly empowered.
We can do it together by enthroning a leadership that will make a difference in our lives. A leadership that is people centered and driven by a sense of purpose. A leadership that is bound to remove Cross River State from a civil service state to an industrialized state. A leadership that is geared towards distribution of wealth and not its concentration in a few hands.
Do not shy away from this clarion call because there is GREAT HOPE of a BRIGHT FUTURE for the Cross River State youths.
The time for us to act is now.
SUPPORT CHANGE
SUPPORT THE YOUTH MOVEMENT
SUPPORT ALICE ACHI FOR GOVERNOR 2015
LONG LIVE THE CROSS RIVER STATE YOUTH
LONG LIVE CROSS RIVER STATE
LONG LIVE THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
…..IN GOD WE TRUST

TO REPRESENT A PEOPLE IS NOT WAR- by MR INNOCENT EGIGA

I was on my own as usual, waiting for any News that will benefit Cross Riverians Irrespective of where its coming from, until I got a Friend Request on my Facebook account from a Man I owe in High esteem.As usual, i was expecting to see one political aspirant Post or the other on his wall but to my greatest surprise, I stumbled into few very inspiring Facebook post on his wall.

Out of curiousity I decided to read through... After reading I said to myself everyone following our Blog Posts must see this... 

I LOVE THIS ARTICLE BECAUSE IT IS TIMELY.

(Read after the cut)

To represent a people is not war, and so fighting will have no effect on the same people we intend to protect during our representation.

I was reading a script, posted to me by my brother and old time lasting friend Barr Max Ogar, on the need for us not to kill for the sake of representation, and not also to forget that we all have our own to protect even if it is adjured that our own is no more good for the status. But come to think of it, what is the problem that is boiling at the moment, that one person is aspiring to become a senator and another who is a senator is saying that he has not finished his good works, so he has to go back? and from the bottom of it, we as a people are all at the verge towards losing a position in the senate that might not reach us again in the next 19 years who knows?

Now the crux of the matter is not on the bases that we have an excellent senator or we have a distinguished member of the house of representatives, but that the speed of growth and philanthropism is not spreading with the speed of need across the people, or that a giant in the distributive wealth sector is willing to make it happen even more than what is seen?

Let us put this two factors together and ask ourselves one question, for who will not be ready to die for that which gives him life or who will be ready to die for that which has no instinct that he or she survives?, but in responding to the above, let us not forget that everybody has his or her own style and that too cannot be measured by just a hand of philanthropic admiration but on the human need for help.

Our society today appreciates more on effective representation, but will even appreciate much more on the assisting hand that brings back the death to life but when that gap is prevailing in a given system, the people will not understand any language than that of food and the necessities of life.
We have two outstanding sons in both the upper house and the lower house,but as time will permit, and as the democratic structure is being structured,: to aspire is not a criminal offence, and so also to defend a position is not out of place, but what will do even more better is the act of positional defence which will be guaranteed by your past and your present, for even if voting is the deciding factor, your height can also do the Nigerian Magic.
Let us not kill for the things that will come to us even on the platter of consensus one day in our life's and let us all see the context as a political will of a people of the senatorial district.

Watchout for other Articles...

UC QUESTION: IS MR JEDY AGBA THE RIGHT CHOICE? "CRS GOVERNORSHIP RACE 2015"

Contrary to what most people think about MR JEDY AGBA, I believe He is someone to beat in this Race. Truth be told, he has strong credentials to be the next  Governor of CRS.

Out of Curiosity, i strolled into one of the articles Written about him by Pius Odey through one of his numerous sites. www.votejedyagbaforgov.com
See link below 

CLICK HERE

EXCLUSIVE UC QUESTION : IS VENATIUS IKEM ANTI IMOKE BECAUSE OF JEDY AGBA'S AMBITION?

Who is VENATIUS IKEM? 

what does he represents? What kind of Person is he? Who is he supporting? Where was he before? Where is he now? Why was he suspended from Governor Imoke's Cabinet? 

Read the full gist as published by VANGUARD

Imoke suspends Works Commissioner for fighting in public

on january 02, 2012 at 9:00 am in news

CALABAR – GOVERNOR Liyel Imoke of Cross River State has suspended the Commissioner for Works, Mr. Venatius Ikem, from the state executive council for allegedly fighting and stabbing a staff of Mega Hilton hotel, Mr. Boniface Ishamali, with a broken bottle.

The governor, according to a statement by Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Mr. Mike Aniah, had directed Ikem, who was a former Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and also served as an adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo’s government, to hand over all the ministry’s documents to the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Linus Ovat.

Already, Ikem had been arrested and detained at the State Housing Estate Police division on the orders of the state Commissioner of Police.

The victim, who is now lying critically ill at a hospital in Calabar with stitches on his face, is said to double as Personal Assistant to the Senator representing Cross River North senatorial district.

Already, Ishamali has petitioned the Assistant Inspector General of Police in-charge of Zone Six, over what he described as attempted murder and called for an investigationinto the matter, so that Ikem will face the full wrath of the law.

The victim, in the petition, claimed that he was sent by his in-law, Dr. Frank Ayade, to deliver a message to Prof. Zana Akpagu, Special Adviser to Governor Liyel Imoke on Special Duties at his residence, but after delivering the message, Prof. Akpagu beckoned on him to accompany him to a party organised by Mr. Ejadons Esege, Special Adviser on Project Monitoring and Evaluation.

Ishamali said: “I drove behind Akpagu’s car to the party. I sat with Akpagu, Dr. Edet Ikpi, state Commissioner for Health, Mr. Sayina Robinson, when Ikem arrived. After exchange of pleasantries, I wanted to move away from the table to allow Ikem interact with his colleagues when he accosted me and asked what somebody like me was doing at the party. I answered him that I accompanied Prof. Akpagu, who also explained that I came with him. He told Ikem to leave me alone to enjoy myself but Ikem insisted that I should leave the place.

(READ THE FULL STORY THROUGH THE VANGUARD LINK ABOVE)

- Anyway that's not why we are here, let's let sleeping dog lie. We only wanted to Take your mind back to why Mr Vena was Sacked from Imoke's Cabinet. I am sure He has learnt his lessons now...

Now to the main Reason for this post : 

As far as SMART POLITICS is gradually becoming very Active since the inception of President Barrak Obama's Election, we Should Try as much as Possible to tread with caution because the world is watching. As part of our Aim to Publish Uncensored News and News you won't see on TV/RADIO, We stumbled into numerous Posts of Mr. Venetius Ikem but we took more interest in his recent Post... 

(See more screen munched Pictures Below)

We at UPDATE CROSS RIVER Dont wamt to imagine what will happen to MR. BONIFACE for Being the main Reason Mr. Venatius Ikem was sacked from Gov. Imoke's Cabinet if eventually JEDY AGBA becomes Governor (Pensive) but can Aggrieved Mr. Venatius Represent a generation that will benefit Cross River State?

MR JEDY AGBA! THINK BEFORE ITS TOO LATE OOOOO ITS LIKE THIS YOUR CAMPAIGN MANAGER HAS QUESTIONABLE CHARACTER OOOO WE SEE YOU TO BE A NICE MAN AND A MAN OF THE PEOPLE...

... That is if its not Late already.

We are only Doing our Job, NO HIDING PLACE FOR THE NEWS, EXCEPT WE ARE NOT AWARE... We can Help you publish that News Uncensored.

mail us today, INFO and PICTURES through: INFOUPDATECROSSRIVER@GMAIL.COM

MR JARIGBE PRAYS: "OH GOD GIVE US A CHANCE"

AS HE RELEASES NEW PICTURES FOR THE JOURNEY...

Give us a chance!
If I will not do well for my people, God should not allow me realise my ambition but if I will do well let all who stand against positive change see the sincerity of purpose in my mission.

National Assembly is the focus.
I offer myself for service.
Focus; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,OGOJA/YALA FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY

UC Question: IS LEGOR IDAGBO TAKING THE LEAD?

Culed from a Facebook post by - Stanley Morphy 

today through https://m.facebook.com/groups/555114141259484?refid=18&_ft_&__tn__=C

C.R.S: COUNT DOWN TO 2015

A GALE OF ENDORSEMENTS
Another forum was held recently. Cross Riverians from all works of life representing shades of opinion,came together and spoke with one voice again and endorsed one candidate that seems to be enjoying widespread acceptability with an overwhelming support base.

He has served in every capacity and is in good reckoning with everybody,and above all, GOD.

He equally appears to be the most formidable aspirant among a list of other non significant and uninspiring horde of contenders,as widely acclaimed and acknowledged everywhere across the state.

He is loyal,humble,competent,credible,accessible: a philanthropist par excellence.

He is a man of great vision symbolising THE NEW FACE OF CROSS RIVER STATE. Endorsed by stakeholders,Associations, Professional bodies,Public Servants, Political Office holders,Appointees, Elders and would be delegates----

HE IS HON. BAR. LEGOR IDAGBO

GOVERNOR C.R.S 2015!

JOIN US IN THE PRIMARIES AS WE PREPARE TO SEPARATE THE "GRAIN" FROM THE CHAFF

Now our Question is: Is Bar. Legor Igadbo really Taking the lead? I thought The Electorate were complaining that he was not Making effort? How come he is overtaking people who started before Him in the Race? 

HE IS INDEED LOVED BY MANY I GUESS!

DR. ALEX EGBUNA REAFFIRMS HIS SUPPORTERS: "I CAN WIN"

I can win my election--- Chief of Staff

Dr Alex Egbuna, the Chief of Staff to Senator Liyel Imoke who recently resigned his appointment to contest the Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives says he can win his elections both primary and general with ease any time any day.

Declaring his preparedness to contest the slot, Dr Egbuna said he has since his graduation in 1990 done nothing else but play active politics and this has fully equipped him on how to politic and also meet the needs of the people which has significantly endeared him to the hearts of the people, not just in Abi but across the state.

He assured the people of Abi /Yakuur Federal Constituency that he would in forty-eight months make a tangible difference in the lives of the people of the constituency by sustaining the gains already made by his predecessors, Hon Obeten Okorn and Hon Bassey Ewa whom he said is serving his last seven months in the House of Representatives. “The last time we met here you were asking me to make a statement on the 2015 election and I said the time was not ready then but today is the time and I can tell you that among all those in the field, I am one person who can win election with ease any time any day”.

Dr Egbuna, popularly called “Chief”, said the Yakuur axis of the constituency has held the slot for sixteen years continuously and the time has come for the slot to move to the Abi axis of the constituency for the purpose of equal representation and fairplay. “In 2011 some people came to me and said I should challenge Bassey but I said no that he should be allowed to go for a second tenure and he did but this time around it is the time of Abi and I am prepared for it”.

He said he is educationally and physically prepared for the post haven worked hard to meet the needs of his people while he served as Special Assistant to Mr Donald Duke and as the Deputy Chief of Staff and Chief of Staff to Imoke. “My opponent says that when he went there in the first four years, he was a nobody even when he left the state as the Speaker of the State Assembly but I am not a nobody but a Chief of Staff and I don’t see what others who have gone there have that I don’t have so I am going there as a big boy and will surely make impact in the lives of my people”.

The former Chief of Staff said he going to work towards creating employment for at least two hundred people in his constituency in forty-eight months which will go a long way in transforming the lives of many people in the constituency. “Though I will not like to tell you the details of my plans but I want to see that there is a fifty bed hospital at Mkpani Junction and I will do this not necessarily with government money but with funds from donor agencies and I have seen it done elsewhere and will do it here”.

He said in the politics of turn by turn, if someone has represented a place for eight years, it is only fair that such a person leaves the scene for another to give room for equal representation and spread of wealth.

Article credit - www.mycrossriver.com

GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION: MR PATRICK UGBE MOVES FORWARD

Patrick Ugbe declares

Patrick Ugbe, today declared his intention to contest the Cross River State gubernatorial primaries after picking his Expression of Intent form from the CRS PDP secretariat. Received by party chairman, Chief John Okon, the aspirant enunciated his plans for the governing of the state.

He stated that his plans can be understood from his motto: Sustaining the Gains. Playing on the word, SUSTAIN, Ugbe spelt out his plans with each starting letter spelling the word: Sustainable development, United Communities, Social Justice, Total school enrolment and youth engagement, Accountable Government, Infrastructural excellence, and Numerical prosperity.

Mr. Ugbe soon after left for Ikom to attend the burial of the father of Special Adviser to Governor, Special Duties, Pa Ebak Ayang Ogbe as well as continue with consultations with party officials in Central Senatorial District...

For more Pictures, and razmattaz, click here... teampatrickugbe

Exclusive: STATEMENTS THAT CHANGED THE POLITICAL WEATHER IN CROSS RIVER STATE...

Infoupdatecrossriver@gmail.com 

Quoting the Executive Governor of Cross River State and other Political Leaders in the State :

“In Cross River State, we have three senatorial districts. Two have produced governors of the state. Will it be fair not to allow another senatorial district not to produce governor? At the national level, the North produced president, the same with the South-west and now South-south. We have to do the same here for reasons of equity. It is a natural thing. - Sen. Liyel Imoke

“In all my politics, I have stood for fairness. I was one of those opposed to those who said an Efik man cannot become governor of Cross River State. I fought against it and thank God an Efik became governor of the state. The final seal on this matter is that the next governor of our state would come from the Northern Senatorial District”, - Sen. Liyel Imoke

“My position on zoning was made clear a long time ago. And it was based on my personal conviction. I managed to convince my party to formalize the process so that it would not just be Imoke’s personal conviction, but that of the position of the party that we formally, if we have not done it before, zone the governorship to the Northern Senatorial District.” - Sen. Liyel Imoke

“The north should produce the next governor, as the south has had its fair share of the governorship in the person of Donald Duke in 1999 and 2003 and the central has had its turn in the emergence of my humble self as governor in 2007 and 2011,” - Sen. Liyel Imoke

"Whoever that will succeed me, must have the capacity to surpass me. He must understand the most difficult political situations of our state and that the person so chosen you the leaders should be supported by the majority as well as the whole state.” - Sen. Liyel Imoke

"Disregard doubting ‘Thomases’ and skeptics who think the governorship from the Northern Senatorial District of the state in 2015 was still a pipe dream.
- Sen. Liyel Imoke

“Nobody can force me to impose my successor. I may not know who the next governor will be, but I know who the next governor will not be.”
- Sen. Liyel Imoke

“Even when my successor from the North is sworn in 2015, they are still those who will doubt that I handed over to one of you. They will say is this Imoke sincere? Will he not cause the tribunal to quash the election? This is the kind of thing you will hear from the doubters. But my advice to you is to remain focused, committed and steadfast to the party and speak with one voice.”
- Seen. Liyel Imoke

“It is marvellous. It is perfect thinking, perfect analysis and perfect timing. It shows that the leadership has a perfect understanding of the politics of the state and how to meet the yearnings of the people.
“It also shows that Imoke is a man of his words. People should learn to make promises and stand by them. It shows that we have come of age. This zoning will bring about fair play, equity and fair representation. I hereby charged the people of the Northern Senatorial District to be cohesive so that at the end of the day we justify that we rightly deserved the position,”
- Mr. Timmy Tom Udam

"The zoning had brought plenty of excitement to the north in particular and the state in general.
"For once, we can sit down together and decide on what we should do. It shows maturity in our politics and gives every senatorial district a sense of belonging.
“The zone is ready to produce a candidate for the PDP. It may not be that easy because we are not in heaven but that will not prevent us from producing a candidate that will be acceptable to all. We have resolved that whoever wins the primary election will be given massive support. We have come of age and cannot let this opportunity slip by. The north is prepared, very prepared for the governorship of the state,” - Mr Tom Agi

“We stand on the zoning arrangement which confers on us the right to produce the next governor and nobody can stop that,” - Chief Andrew Oboche

"the state chairman of the PDP, Mr. John Okon, called for unity among the people of northern senatorial district of the state. Okon said it was unique to note that the PDP which was alleged to be a sinking party in the state was waxing stronger by putting structures in place."

He said the party was heading towards resounding victory in the 2015 general elections going by the structures it already had in place...

One thing is, however, clear. Whoever would emerge will have to sweat for it as the governor has openly said that he has no anointed candidate. But not a few people doubt the self-professed stance of the governor because he has also said he knows those who will not succeed him.

(CROSS RIVER STATE POLITICAL UPDATES)

THE POWER OF ONE: ALL YOU NEED IS ONE VOTE

THE POWER OF ONE:
ALL YOU NEED IS ONE VOTE
One Vote Can Make All The Difference
 

It’s true. A single vote can change the course of a local election – or it can even change history!

Consider these examples:

*By one vote in 1875, France chose a republican rather than a monarchical form of government.
*One vote cost King Charles I of England his head in 1649.
*President Andrew Johnson survived his Senate impeachment trial by a single vote.
*1776 One vote gave America the English language instead of German.
*1876 One vote gave Rutherford B. Hayes the Presidency of the United States of America.
*1923 One vote gave Adolf Hitler leadership of the Nazi Party.
*1941 One vote saved the Selective Service - just weeks before Pearl Harbor was attacked.
*California, Oregon, Texas, and Washington were each admitted as states by a margin of one vote each.

For those people that believe their vote doesn’t count, they couldn’t be more wrong. If the course of history was changed by a single vote, imagine what a single vote will do for a local race.

Leave the crowd Mentality and take just one vote to the polls!

BY CRV ADMIN

Contact us if you have any article - crossrivervotes@gmail.com

THE ERA OF SMART POLITICS IN NIGERIA

THE ERA OF SMART POLITICS:
Electronic campaigns and social media elections

Social media, governance and politics increasingly go hand in hand these days. In Nigeria, politicians are joining the online community in droves to communicate with their audiences. They are quick to tell you that though the online community does not vote, they are a key demographic who shape and influence perception.  The only problem with this, is that social media users on the continent are typically a small portion of the population, middle class –and educated.  Elitist is often the label thrown on politicians who are involved in extensive engagement with the online constituency as the offline majority feel they are excluded from conversations about their welfare and policies that affect them.

Whilst Twitter and Facebook are still some of the fastest ways for politicians to connect with their audience, they are also an instant way to get ‘feedback-mobbed’. An important lesson is know your topic and audience; if you tweet or write something on any social media platform, be able to explain or defend it if need be. Nigerian public officials are learning this lesson on a daily basis. On the 5th of July 2014, a special adviser to a public official in his support for the German football team enthusiastically tweeted ‘Hail Hilter’ (Heil Hitler).  

In a post-1949 world, a swastika is not a fashion accessory and Third Riech sympathizers are not viewed favorably, so you can imagine the backlash.  In another society this comment could have sparked a diplomatic row.

Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan and his cabinet were the poster kids of social media, with his 2011 campaign being launched on Facebook. However, social media is also used to critique (and sometimes fiercely comment on) his governance, the cabinet and the First Lady with memes and parody accounts. Interestingly he also enjoys strong support from advocates as they record his before and after Jonathan successes often on social media. 

Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame is another a social media anomaly who infamously holds the record of being the first Head of State to personally engage in a twitter feud with a journalist- Guardian UK writer Ian Birrell. Whilst loved by many, he is also accused of strong-arming the opposition; leaving him with a reputation of being both sides of a coin. Evidence of this can be found on almost every online platform. In 2013, New York Times writer Jefferey Gettleman profiled Kagame in his piece ‘The Global Elite’s Favorite Strongman’. He described him as someone who wasn’t used to confrontational questions and was a bit taken a back ‘by how quickly he flipped from friendly to imperious’. Kagame is an interesting case study of the growing use of social media by high profile politicians; he may not engage often but when he does, you’re sure it’s him. Twitter feud aside, Birell found it admirable that ‘a leader engaged so personally with him through a new form of communication’.

1984, Big Brother is watching you, what you say online remains online. This is crucial to remember for any online activity, even if deleted immediately, thousands may have already seen and documented it. The internet never forgets. A recent example is when Nigeria’s Defense Minister on a lazy Sunday afternoon tweeted  “Cold beer 4 dis hot sun” ; a simple enough tweet as it were, but one which invited a barge of disapproving comments and heckling. It was deleted soon after, with a statement following alleging the account had been hacked.

Elections are not won by social media or are they? India reportedly has 103 million social media users from a population of over 815 million people; 93 million are on Facebook and 33 million on Twitter. These numbers however represent mainly a middle class, just like Nigeria.  

Indian politicians are aware of these statistics and took advantage of it in their campaign strategies earlier this year. Political party Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) even urged online supporters to donate a tweet or Facebook status to them. The 2014 election was described as India’s first social media election by CNN.  According to them, President Modi’s BJP party hired social media experts to work on the campaign with the underlying premise that “Some campaigns are not just for promotions, but to create conversations.”

In Nigeria, this rings true if the June 21st 2014  Ekiti elections are anything to go by. John Kayode Fayemi (JKF)was the popular candidate on social media; known as a thoroughbred intellectual with sound policies and ideas on moving the state forward.  For months preceding the election, the online Nigerian community were kept updated about his activities and engaged with him personally in the run up to the election. Even I found myself participating in debates and conversations about Ekiti, keenly waiting for the results. However, when Ekiti decided, the victor was Ayo Fayose, a former governor who was apparently the preferred choice of non-social media users. Jokes about stomach infrastructure soon followed with JKF being called an elitist and Fayose, the man with the ‘common touch’ who  understood the real needs of the people (in this case, branded bags of rice).  It would be an over exaggeration to attribute JKF’s failure to his focus on social media but it does beg the question of the influence it wields offline.

At last check, most major players in the Nigerian political arena and government officials have some form of a social media footprint. With a little over 200 days left to the 2015 elections, dozens of accounts which have had little activity are beginning to come out of dormancy. Social media consulting is the new black and with credentials such as being part of a US President’s social media team being bandied around, the world will find out soon enough if social media has a significant impact or only plays a supporting role in deciding who Nigeria’s next president will be and who Cross river State's next Governor will be come 2015...

AUTHOR - RIMINI MAKAMA
EDITED BY - CROSS RIVER VOTES ADMIN

If you wish your article to be published, contact us on - crossrivervotes@gmail.com

MEET ERIC ISO ANDERSON : THE MAN WHO CHANGED CROSS RIVER STATE MOVIE INDUSTRY

Born 1980, from Diamond hill Community Kasuk Qua Clan, Theatre Arts graduate from Unical, 30 Stage Productions to his credit, immediate past Chairman of Actors Guild of Nigeria Cross River State Chapter 2011 - 2013, about 40 Nollywood Movies and one Hollywood Movie to his credit, 14 years in Film practice, Executive Director of the Cross River Movie Awards, Married with two kids, one time Councillor aspirant Ward 5 Calabar Municipal CRS.

ERIC ANDERSON our Project for CHANGE.

LIYEL IMOKE THE SPORTSMAN

In Cross river State, we win all the time...(pictures)

LIYEL IMOKE LIVING BY EXAMPLE

A True leader... (Pictures)

SOUTHERN SENATORIAL RACE IN CRS

The race for the CR Southern Senatorial seat in 2015, may be a three horse race as Tourism Minister, Edem Duke and Chairman, CRS Water Board Ltd, Gershom Bassey look set to challenge incumbent, Prince Bassey Otu, in what one source has described as “the race to cancel each other”.

Edem who contested the last time and lost to Otu, is said to be “putting together a healthy financial war chest to take on a heavy spending Prince Otu”. Gershom Bassey on his part, smarting from a failed bid to activate the contentious Calabar/Ogoja Accord and secure a shot at the CR gubenatorial seat, has clearly set sights on going to thet National Assembly.

Edem and Bassey, sources say, “are consulting wisely and carefully because of Otu’s ability to get at the heart of Southern CR politics with the real cash he willingly throws around”. Otu on his part has again signalled his intention to hold on to his seat with the tacit re-emergence of his bold billboards at strategic locations in Calabar. The citizens can point to one of such billboards at the beginning of the IBB Way as a case in point.

It promises to be an interesting race as this three in pole position have what it takes to outdo each other.

THE DEAD CALABAR-OGOJA ACCORD VS 2015 ELECTION

2015: PDP has to zone C/River governorship to the north’

In this interview with reporters in Calabar, an elder statesman and former deputy governor of Cross River State  Chief Matthias Oko Offoboche has cautioned politicians in the state against resurrecting the Ogoja/Calabar Accord issue. He warned that other parts of the state should allow the northern senatorial district to produce Governor Liyel Imoke’s successor in 2015 to avert looming chaos, insisting that even the PDP has the moral and legal obligation to tow the same line. Excerpts.

Since you left office as deputy governor of Cross River State years back, you have remained in the political cooler. How have you engaged yourself all this while?
People should not forget that I am a specialist in gynecology. I studied medicine in Dublin and did postgraduate course in the Royal College of Physicians Gynecologists, London. I am first and foremost, / a specialist obstetrician/ gynecologist and that is what I live upon. I am also a politician and an Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).

Politicians are resurrecting the old Calabar-Ogoja Accord to scuttle the possibility of the North taking over the next governorship slot in Cross River State in 2015. How do you see the issue?
Some of them are talking out of ignorance and they do not want to learn. The so-called Calabar-Ogoja Accord was reality then. But that accord was premised on the provisions of the 1979 Constitution of Nigeria.
When the accord was prepared in 1979, we had two senatorial district structures.  For instance,  Calabar-Ogoja district of Cross River as was enshrined in the 1979 Constitution of Nigeria. And  Ogoja was used because it was Ogoja Senatorial District and vice versa.
The 1979 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is now dead. We are now operating the 1999 Constitution as amended.
The 1999 Constitution talks of three senatorial districts – North, South and Central. This is different from what was  obtained in 1979. Those who are lawyers should look that up.
So it is unconstitutional to now begin to talk about Ogoja-Calabar Accord in 2013, 2014 or 2015 for purposes of who should take the governorship slot of Cross River State in the next political dispensation.
If the 1979 constitution comes to life and displaces 1999 constitution then we will be working by that constitution; but the 1979 constitution is dead. All the provisions made in the accord were based on the provisions of the 1979 constitution.
Now that we are operating a new system the accord cannot have as much relevance as the 1979 constitution in 2013. It is as simple as that. If people want to compete for power, they do not need to import things that are not relevant.
People are free to contest elections; that is what makes us a democracy. But to go and import arguments that are not relevant is just looking for unnecessary problems.
Calabar-Ogoja Accord was relevant at the time it was done because it was guided by the provisions of the 1979 constitution and once that Constitution is irrelevant,  the accord itself  becomes irrelevant.

Do you think that Cross River north can brace up to provide a governorship material in 2015?
Again, the 1999 Constitution provides for the Federal Character which also applies to states and local governments. That is, things should be done in rotation; that every part of the entity should have relevance.
So our brothers in the south provided the governor in Mr Donald Duke, the central has provided Sen. Liyel Imoke, the incumbent. It is only logical, commonsense and democratic for the people of the northern senatorial district to now provide the next governor.
How then would the south continue to provide the governor when the north has not provided one in Cross River State? It is undemocratic.
Perhaps, that would have been feasible if it were in the state where there was so much disparity in population. But the ethnic composition in the three senatorial districts of Cross River State does not allow for that kind of dominance.
I want to plead with my brothers and sisters in the South that they should try to create a condition of peace in this state.
Senator Liyel Imoke’s greatest achievement in this state is that he has brought peace to the state. And to leave this state in peace means that the north must provide the governor.
To do otherwise will be to create chaos. And from all his actions,  we know that Imoke is not a fool; he has never been known to be a fool; so he is not going to create a situation where there will be problems after he has left office and he is not going to destroy his main legacy.
Let us forget about rumours. People have a right to contest but the governor has come out openly even before his second term election to say that the next governor in 2015 should come from the north. He cannot turn round and eat his words. This is not the Imoke I know. This is not Imoke who is a peaceful man; this is not Imoke who wants the judgment of history to be in his favour. He will not destroy his legacy permanently.

That democracy is an open contest and those who are eligible including people from the north can contest. Is the case of 2015 perceived differently in Cross River State?
The very first election after military rule was an open contest; anybody from any of the senatorial districts could have become governor. The election crystallized between the north and the south and the south won; so Donald duke became governor. It does not, therefore, mean that that arrangement can continue. It is a democracy; if anybody wants to stand from the south, nobody can stop him. But he has to win the election.
The PDP has a zoning formula for the sake of peace in the country and it is this zoning formula we are trying to stand on. The south has had it; the central has had it; the PDP now has a duty both legal and moral to zone the next governorship of cross river to the north senatorial district.

There are alleged plans from some elements from the north to sell out in 2015….?
I have organized several meetings with the north and there is a unanimous decision that the north should provide the next governor. There is no question of anybody selling out. The last meeting was held on the 10thof August; I wish you were there to see the reaction of the people. Nobody who is any true son of the north and indeed we expect the central and the south to say no to such persons. So these are rumours and I do not want to comment on rumours.
The North is preparing for the governorship. People asked `why has nobody come out from the north now?’ it is like a marathon. People are being cautious and at the appropriate time, people will begin to emerge.