By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

There are strong indications that former governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke may have dumped his bosom friend and current Governor, Liyel Imoke ahead the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

Before now especially during the eight year tenure of Mr. Duke as governor of the state, Imoke was his campaign manager. Two of them alongside Mr Gershom Bassey were described as the three wise men dictating the tune of administration in the state.

Imoke and Duke always paint the picture of still having a robust relationship when any of them is being confronted to comment on their relationship, but majority of the people especially those close to them describe their posture as cosmetic as there is no love lost between them.

A pointer to the fact that their relationship may have gone awry. The point that Duke, since he left office, has not been identifying with most of the programmes of his successor.

With the 2012 governorship election drawing nearer, Duke has been accused of romancing with members of the opposition and even those within the same Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, plotting to dislodge him (Imoke) in the rescheduled election.

Close associates of Imoke had accused Duke of being behind the interest of immediate past Chairman of the PDP in the state, Chief Soni Abang to challenge Imoke at the polls.

Imoke and Duke

Duke is said to be consulting people on behalf of Ambassador Soni Abang especially in the Southern Senatorial district where he comes from. An unconfirmed report has it that the Dukee has been visiting some notable politicians from the zone in respect of the governorship primaries in the state expected to come up January 23, 2012.

Ambassador Abang was among notable politicians in the state that threw their support for Imoke in the botched April 2011 governorship election in the state, but later changed his mind to go for the plum position according to him, to give the people quality service delivery.

Though Ambassador Abang seems to have strong support base and formidable political structure which he built while he was the state PDP chairman, there are indications that he draws inspiration from Mr. Duke who is said to be a good mobilizer and leader per excellence.

Despite the fact that he no longer holds sway in the state administration; Duke still have fans and followers who admired his administrative style and ngenuity. He is full of ideas and ready to hit his target at any time irrespective of what it would cost him.

Recently at the Obong of Calabar Palace, when confronted with the question by Journalists whether he was happy that most of the legacies his administration bequeathed to his successor, Senator Imoke like the Tinapa Business Resort and Leisure and Monorail projects were allegedly abandoned, Duke was reported to have said that he was not happy.

Duke’s answer drew the ire of Imoke’s loyalists who felt that if there was any one that should know the true financial situation of the state, Duke was one.

Although, the amiable former governor of Cross River State, was said to have formally resigned his membership of the PDP and has not made any formal return to the party, it was rumored that he had planned to join the Labour Party before his last minutes decision not to identify with any political party.

However, he was seen at the event to mark the Cross River State Widow’s day organized by the governorship candidate of the Labour Party, Mrs. Ima Nsah Adogeke through the “Ima Nsa Foundation.

Duke at the occasion said: “We can only improve the society if we take care of the widows and the vulnerable. Any society that does not allude to the right of women to live cannot achieve its full potentials.”

Political analysts in the state had argued that since Duke left office, he had never participated in political activities that concern his successor especially in his second term bid. His presence at the LP’s governorship candidate event was understood to mean that the former governor may have concluded plans to join forces with the opposition to dislodge Imoke.

Besides, it was gathered that most of the people rooting for Ambassador Abang to unseat Imoke have been strong supporters of Duke, though it was gathered that some of them will be with Imoke in the day time but go to Abang in the evening.

Despite the comment credited to Duke that he was not happy that most of the projects he started and bequeathed to the Imoke’s administration had been abandoned and the suspected body language showing that he is behind Ambassador Abang, there has not been any utterance from Duke to show where he belongs.

Duke was not coming to the state he ruled for eight years frequently since he left office, but as the governorship election draws nearer, he has been frequent in the state. One thing about him is that he has an aura and his presence electrifies any environment he sets his feet into.

However, those campaigning for Imoke’s second time bid claim that the sitting governor has nothing to fear and that there is no formidable opposition that can challenge him in any contest.