By Johnbosco Agbakwuru
The Cross River State gubernatorial election rescheduled for April, 2012 is drawing closer by the day. A number of men and women have shown interest in challenging the incumbent, Senator Liyel Imoke. But the question on their capacity to rattle Imoke persists.

POlitical activities in Cross River State are gradually picking up ahead of the rescheduled governorship election now fixed for April 2012. Though the state is not known for political violence or even high tempo politicking, the alleged interest of Nigeria’s Ambassador to Mali and immediate past state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Chief Sonni Abang has raised the bar.

This development has expectedly generated anxiety, suspicion, panic, blackmail and even excitement. Perhaps the opposition that have until now restricted their activities to the pages of newspapers and billboards may well surface.

Presently, apart from the PDP that has shown signs of readiness to go for election next year, all other parties seem to be resting, perchance waiting for the last minutes miracle.

Opposition within PDP

In the face of the seeming docility of the opposition it has now emerged that what could be the major challenge to the incumbent, Senator Liyel Imoke in the election could be the internal opposition championed by Ambassador Abang.

For now, that is the only name that seems to remind the incumbent governor that it may not be a one man show after all. Abang’s alleged interest has indeed become the talk of the town.

However, despite the hype there is yet nothing on ground to show any sign of visible challenge by Abang.

Imoke, Abang and Duke

Chief Abang is allegedly being propped up by the friends of the former governor of the state, Mr. Donald Duke. He is believed to have consulted widely with his political associates (Duke’s men) before he came to the conclusion to face Imoke in the election within the same party. Imoke and Duke it is whispered seem not to be best of friends any longer. That is despite the alleged pact between Duke, Imoke and a third member of the troika, Chief Gershom Bassey to rule the state one after another.

It was gathered that some past federal ministers from the state, past and present senators and House of Representatives members have been conscripted in the project to dislodge Imoke for Abang. However, the general opinion among many is that it is a mission impossible.

Imoke’s harvest of endorsement

Since the news that Chief Abang intends to run governorship election in the state was broken, different interest groups from Bakassi to Obanliku, have been staging rallies in support of Imoke on daily basis. First, it was the Northern senatorial district that rose up to condemn the alleged interest of Chief Abang. The group vowed to support Imoke in his second term ambition. The Central zone also took their turn. Incidentally both Imoke and Abang are from the Central.

Indeed, in a stinging denunciation of Abang, lawmakers from his senatorial zone led by Chief Jacob Otu-Enyia, a member of the House of Assembly have taken Ambassador to the cleaners and promised to ensure that even if he decides to contest either in the PDP or any other political party, he may end up only having his vote alone from his home town.

Indeed, should Abang forge ahead with his plans he faces the prospect of harsh attack from home that would undoubtedly be championed by Enyia, one of the most vocal lawmaker in the state Assembly who is from the same Boki Local Government Area with Abang

Boki for Liyel illiterates

Remarkably, political leaders from Abang’s home turf in Boki have been falling over one another to declare support for Liyel, perhaps in a way of distancing themselves from Abang’s aspiration.

Boki 4 Liyel constituting opinion leaders, elders, chiefs, past and serving members of the House of Assembly and political appointees, women and youths from Boki Local Government Area is one of the groups to have scorned their brother for Imoke.

The group at a media briefing in Calabar said that their total support for the governor was borne out of the fact that since the creation of the local government, it was only during the tenure of Imoke that the area witnessed massive provision of infrastructural development.

Speaking through its Secretary General and member representing Boki 11 state constituency in the House of Assembly, Otu-Enyia the group said, ‘that at no time since the creation has Boki people witnessed such “a radical, robust and tremendous turn-around and revolution than now”.

“In terms of government intervention in rural road network, electrification, improved health care services, improvement in educational infrastructures and provision of good drinking water. Hence, it is commonsensical that reasonable, educated, thoughtful, liberated and God-fearing Boki people should tow the path of peace and unity, progress, development and total emancipation by supporting His Excellency, Senator Liyel Imoke for the second term in office”, Hon. Otu-Enyia said.

Friends of democracy

for Liyel: Another group backing Imoke is Friends of Democracy which has assured the people of the state that its members will work hard for the re-election of the incumbent governor in the April 2012 election. The Coordinator of the group Mr. Ento Edako said Governor Imoke has defined what politics should be by rendering quality service to the people despite the lean resources available to the government he has performed excellently.

“Friends of Democracy for Liyel has a collection of 101 reasons why Liyel/Efiok should be re-elected in 2012. These reasons evidence the superlative performance of Liyel/Efiok team in economic, social and political sectors of the state”, Edako said.

Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the group, Hon. Ogana Lukpata said that they have been encouraging their supporters to speak with one voice and work as a family to deliver Imoke in the election.

Opposition parties

The Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, seems to be the only opposition group that can boast of having some structure in the state. Incidentally, nothing much has been done to show that they are serious to go into any serious contest next year.

Although, different political parties are expected to select or elect their standard bearers around December this year the opposition parties seem to have relaxed waiting for the last hour to do their ‘magic’ as they have claimed that they will take over power from the ruling PDP.

Presently, the only sign of activity in the opposition is around Elder David Okon, running mate to Senator Matthew Mbu in the botched gubernatorial poll that was rescheduled to next year.

Elder Okon has remained a rallying point for the party though some say that he is a leader for the future. He has the financial muscle and is establishing the structure which will take some years to stabilize.

The Labour Party, LP, parades the only female contestant, Mrs. Imah Nsa-Adegoke who took the slot from Dr. Theo Onyuku, a radical medical doctor.