I Fear For APC In C’River -Ex-Lawmaker
4 min read
Cletus Obun was once a member of the Cross River State House of Assembly and has since then been a strong member of what has now become the APC. He is currently in court against his party over processes that led to the emergence of candidate for the Ikom/Boki House of Reps seat.
He gave reasons for his action and also spoke on what he believes will ruin the chances of his party in retaining power in the state, from 2023, in this online interview with TNN.
Excerpts:
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Your party has been engaging angry members like you, following the just concluded primary election. You are among those who went to court. How is the reconciliation going with you?
The composition and the terms of reference of the committee are suspicious. Even the mode of operandi is laden with incongruities. No formal invitation was extended to us; just radio announcements and general bulk messages addressed to no one. The quality of a few of the committee members is credible. Majority are errand boys of the masterminds of the crises, thereby raising doubts about the outcome.
As a frontline founding father of APC, it’s hurtful to rock the foundation of the party at a dangerous time like this. But the ultimate aim of every war is peace. We are in court to save the APC CRS from liquidation. From imposition of incompetent candidates to illegitimate participation by political migrants without political value to some opportunistic puppets posing as giants on clay feet, it has been a fumbling and stumbling spree.
How can any political party in need of electoral votes allow litigation- encumbered individuals with doubtful membership to aspire for even the office a town crier?
Which means you are not willing to drop the court case? Is it not against your party’s rules and expectations?
Nobody is discussing the court case with us. The party constitution is clear on court matters. Remember in 2019 when the then national chairman, Comrade Oshiomhole warned against court matters, then president and candidate directed all aggrieved members to feel free to go to court. That directive has not been withdrawn. In any case, nobody will accept exclusion from participation after working so hard for the party. Let any member of APC in CRS say what he has contributed more than Cletus Obun. I demand just reward and due respect.
You really think the party has been unfair to you? At this point, what will the party do that will make you feel rewarded and respected?
The party has done everything to humiliate me. If there is any shadow of doubt, this Reps ticket for Ikom/Boki has clearly demonstrated that fact.
Is there any Cross Riverian or Nigerian who will believe that I will not only be tormented to get a ticket but will be denied participation by exclusion? I feel thoroughly betrayed.
But anybody who directly or indirectly supports injustice against me and my supporters shall pay for it. I need my ticket to the House of Representatives. I have so much to offer my people and my country. I have been doing so at a personal level. We need to escalate our contributions at the national and international scale
From the look of things, it doesn’t appear feasible, that you can still get the ticket. Or how do you think it can happen?
The court order supersedes everything. Let the court decide. The time of filing is deemed to be within the time stipulated by the statute in this case the Electoral Act 2022( as Amended)
The 2023 elections are very close. In your state, what are your fears, considering all that hiccups, anger, grief and the failure to get everyone on the same page?
The epidemic of anger is infectious across party lines.
However, the party that recovers fast will take the medal. APC has some of the weakest candidates in quality and spread. We need total reversal of most candidates’ tickets; there is still time to reposition the party
Why do you think the candidates are too weak to win elections for the APC?
After 22 years of uninterrupted election cycles, there is no saint or villain unknown to us in this terrain.
Most of the candidates have cases of party platform, others have poor pedigree in terms of electoral value considering the use of BVAS as demonstrated in the just concluded Osun governorship election. PDP may not be better but they are more solid in most states and federal constituencies.
Only a deliberate effort to make concessions can save APC from collateral damage in tragic proportions.
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What would you of the solidity or otherwise of Prince Otu and his deputy?
Prince Otu is rock solid. His deputy is a political calamity waiting to consume not only the sweet prince but the entire APC in Cross River State.
Why do you think so?
Mr Peter Odey, deputy governor of APC is from Ogoja in Northern Senatorial District. Can the Central Senatorial District be vacant and deliver the votes to APC when their son is contesting in PDP? Can Gov Ayade not protect and provide northern votes while giving a central senatorial district deputy to cushion the looming tsunami?
So what is the way forward at this point?
Drop the northern deputy. Pick another from old Ikom (Boki, Etung and Ikom) .This will give each senatorial district a stake. Senate in the north, deputy governorship candidate in the central senatorial district and the governorship candidate in the south.
