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By Okon Effiom
It's no longer news that the politics of Cross River South gets interesting everyday with several incidences chiefly being the betrayal and sell out by critical stakeholders in the south. Interestingly, the primaries have come and gone but the memories still linger which will shape the narrative in the general election.
This morning, I stumbled on a very interesting document where the APC and the senatorial candidate of the APC have filed a litigation against the Labour Party candidate, Rt. Hon. Ntufam Daniel Asuquo and others, notably, Comrade Asuquo Etim, Etim Effiong, Labour Party, Independent National Electoral Commission for the soul of Cross River South. The case with suit no: FHC/ABJ/CS/1216/2022.
The relief sought by the party through her candidate, Mr. Asuquo Ekpenyong Jnr alleges that Chief Asuquo is not a member of the Labour Party, hence cannot be sponsored by the Labour Party in the general election. His name is not on the party's register. The suit also referenced the much-heated debate of signing two nomination forms while questioning the validity of the letter of withdrawal of the place holder of the then candidate of the Labour Party.
Other issues include: the time duration for the notice of substitution, the time duration of his membership as should be contained in the party's register submitted to INEC, nullification and withdrawal of Chief Daniel Asuquo's candidacy as the senatorial candidate of the Labour Party for Cross River Southern Senatorial District.
I do not want to speak on this case because it is already before a court of competent jurisdiction, but it is reasonable to point out few issues about the entire process. The action of the APC and its candidate is the height of political desperation, and more of a case of one that has nothing to offer the electorates.
How else will one describe the recent action of the APC and Mr. Asuquo Ekpenyong to ask the court to disqualify another candidate just for him to have an easy passage towards winning the senatorial election he is not even sure of? Could it be fear factor?
It is a truism that Mr. Asuquo Ekpenyong Jnr. does not have the political will-power and requisite experience in electioneering processes and thus wants to adopt the easy way out. He knows that he has not been friendly with the masses to command the votes of the south for the senatorial position. I come from Odukpani like him but his elitist mentality has dwarfed every ounce of synergy except for the unfriendly policies that his father's business empire has meted on the masses.
Elections are like a contest, designed to test the popularity, deliverables, interest and others of the contestants. Though people tend to use it for personal vendetta and all sorts of negative propaganda. These only become the case when the candidate has nothing to offer other than winning through the back door as could be observed in your recent action.
What has Ntufam Daniel Asuquo done against you or your party to attract your meddlesomeness? All the allegations have no direct bearing to you or your party except to point to your selfishness and covetous sense of entitlement?
Maybe you think we have forgotten, there are strong allegations that the current travail of Sen. Prince Bassey Otu has direct bearing to you because you lost out of the governorship race, hence if it is not you, it cannot be another person from the south. So, let's stop the pretence and face facts and realities.
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