We must be careful not to twist the arms of equity to what is convenient, rather than just. The crust of the triumph of our party is an endorsement of the spirit of equity. The need for the strong to protect the weak especially when it is within the confines of equal distribution of power.
We must resist the sin of allocating to ourselves the prerogative of using the doctrine of might is right, especially not when we rode on the wheels of spirit of brotherhood.
The Ikom man is yet again cornered to the hard place of crying out to the people, to reinstate their resolve for fair play.
Ordinarily this debate shouldn’t be held if we all seek to stay true to that conviction that was given life by the progressive leadership of our party, but here we are, appealing yet again to the deepest alter of of our consciences.
It is no longer news that by virtue of the political outcome of the last election, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly should come from the Central Senatorial District, that being a given, we must yet again remind ourselves of what the true position of things are.
In the Central Senatorial District, four of the five Senatorial Districts are now representing the Senatorial District in different strata of the National assembly.
With Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency being represented by an Abi Man, Dr. Alex Egbona.
Yakurr having left the state Assembly is now to represent the Central Senatorial District in the Senate.
In Obubra/Etung, Hon. Mike Etaba from Obubra is ably representing the people of that Constituency.
While in Ikom/Boki, a Boki Son Sir. Victor Abang is going to the house of Representatives.
There is no gain say, that only Ikom and Etung are without a representative going forward. Notwithstanding Etung has been in the Senate for the last eight years and is being tipped for a very select appointment.
One will wonder why Ikom is to be left without a principal office holder, the same argument has been advanced that while the Old Obubra has the Senate, Old Ikom should produce the Speaker.
Furthermore, it will have been a point of distraught if Ikom had no returning and High ranking member, but God bless the hands of equity who having won a decisive return elections Hon. Elvert Enyambem is eminently qualified as a high ranking member for that seat.
Elvert has not just satisfied the primary qualification to be elected by virtue of being a high ranking member but is also from the Ikom political division, it is expected that the principle of fairness should prevail.
Ikom is regarded as the political headquarters of the Central Senatorial District, and to allow ikom empty is to allow it to opposition.
The commercial nerve Centre parades a metropolitan demography of voters, whose sensibilities cannot be mocked.
It goes to show that it must be protected and secured by not just occasioning injustice but most importantly giving that town a reason to stay connected to the progressive leadership of the state.
While it is a democracy and everyone is allowed to contest, however it behoves on us as purveyors of equity to remain resolved in its implementation.
It will be a grave political miscalculation to yet again allow for a local Government that is representing the Constituency in the national assembly to still retain the speakership; that will be double portion, it offends the natural sense of equity and Justice, and will create an untoward balance of power and the allocation of values if we use the borrow the words of a certain political philosopher.
Those who are regrouping to occasion such injustice must be reminded of the new normal, now is not the time to take the sensibilities of a people for granted. Political elections are won and lost by doing so and a party that parades itself as the paragon of justice as seen in the back to South drive cannot now contradict itself.
We must remember the solidarity of the Ikom people, when there Unanimously supported power shift to their brother LGA boki, so much so that the candidate of the PDP Mr. Chris Agibe despite kneeling down to beg was still turned down. Infact the APC members refused to obtain any nomination form to contest that election.
We are saddened that some folks have decided to mischievously use the outcome of the Gubernatorial Elections to justify the move to deny Ikom a chance and one will wonder if we could use the same crucible to measure up across the state. It is nauseating that we are seemingly attempting to punish Ikom by denying them the chance.
It is my believe that well meaning leaders of even Boki are not wavering on the course, they have a duty to show solidarity and to do so against all odds.
Away from the sentiments of zoning, Hon. Elvert is a meticulous, level headed and diplomatic legislator. Whose stay in the house is marked by devotion and commitment and who earned the trust of his colleagues.
Having rose from the a very humble background he understands the yearnings of Cross Riverians so well and will surely steer the Leadership of the house towards complimenting the great strides of the executive arm.
Under his leadership we will see not just a legislature that works but one who supports innovation, and viable debates that will birth the Cross River of our dreams.
It goes without saying that supporting Elvert is not only the right thing to do, but the step in consolidating the wins of our party and guaranteeing justice, equity and fairness.
By Victor Egba
