Governor Ben Ayade and Rt Hon Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, a House of Representatives member, have traded words over the fate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River state.
While the governor threatened to abandon the PDP over injustices against his interest, Jarigbe said the governor had handed over the PDP to his younger brother to run.
Speaking, weekend, during the visit of Bauchi state governor, Bala Mohammed, to the state, Ayade had said the PDP may see a ‘new Cross River’ if the party fails to address ongoing injustices perpetrated against his interest.
Ayade had told Muhammed, “I know you are somebody that doesn’t take injustice. One single injustice, they will see a new Cross River state. I say it as a warning because it does appear that your party seems to celebrate people who threaten and stress them.”
In his reaction, Jarigbe said the governor was economical with the truth over issues surrounding the polarization of the party in the state.
He said ,“This outburst could send the wrong signals to those who are ignorant of the goings-on in our dear state and the PDP. How has my dear governor played politics with ethics? Is it by handing over the administration of the party to his younger brother?
“The last ward and chapter congresses of the state were conducted from the comfort of the living room of his younger brother. He picked and choose who became ward chairmen in the wards of National Assembly (NASS) members and even serving commissioners, with total disregard for NASS members or other stakeholders.
“In my own case, when I complained, I was asked to nominate an Ex- Officio. The governor and his brother treated all of us with levity. That was not the style he inherited. Anyway, in this case, it was a premeditated move to throw us out of politics. Is that what we deserve for being at the forefront of Ayade’s emergence as governor? This claim of ethical politics should be told to the birds.
“Talking about injustice, let’s look at it from the perspective of contemporary issues bordering on his leadership of the Party and governance of Cross River state. As leader of the party, he has been unjust, as he appropriates every opportunity to suit his whims and caprices. We are in a democracy and this affords us the opportunity to challenge non participatory and dictatorial decisions.
“We did not give you the party as a franchise. As leader of the PDP in Cross River state, the governor is not a franchise. We’ve got stakeholders. As governor of Cross River state, why have you killed the industry of businessmen in the state? We had contractors in Cross River state and the governor and I were part of that industry. Why are all the contractors within a single family? He who goes to equity, must go with clean hands.”
Recall that the governor and Hon Jarigbe had been in a long drawn battle over who occupies the senatorial seat for Cross River north. While the state chapter of the party, led by the governor, is supporting Dr Stephen Odey who is now occupying the senatorial seat, Jarigbe, who also contested in the by-election for the seat, is said to have a favourable judgement at the Supreme Court.
