All is not well in Cross River State between Governor Ben Ayade and his erstwhile pal, Hon. Legor Idagbor, the man who represents Bekwara/Obudu/Obanliku Federal Constituency.
Those who peddle the gist say, Hon. Idagbor and the Governor are at daggers drawn over some political issues that has to do with the leadership of the party in the state. The quarrel has reached a height where Hon. Idagbor alongside others, are said to have authored a strong worded petition against the Governor, to the national leadership of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP.
At a recent caucus meeting, insiders say the Governor felt so betrayed, that immediately he entered the venue, the first thing he said was “even you Legor awww”. The Governor in recent times has been quoted as using kind words on other National Assembly members but not on Legor who at the last birthday ceremony of Chief Asuquo Ekpenyong, was acting as a bodyguard to Gov. Ayade who was visibly irritated by the apparent show of sycophancy
According to the insiders, Hon. Idagbor was supposed to be the Governor’s eyes in the National Assembly according to a deal reached in 2015. But now, he is the leader of the group opposed to the Governor.
Hon Legor Idagbor who was a frontline candidate for Governorship and sponsored by former First Lady of the state, Mrs. Obioma Imoke after losing to Ayade, was accommodated in one of the most controversial PDP primaries of all time.
The primaries that was scheduled to hold at the constituency headquarters of Bekwara/Obudu/Obanliku was moved to Ogoja and before 8am, even when the delegates were yet to fully arrive, he was declared winner. That was how strong, the deal to accommodate him was.
But as you read this, things have fallen irretrievably apart between the NASS member and Governor Ayade leading to a crisis within their constituency. Already, thebladengr.com has gathered that Hon. Idagbor’s godfather, Chief Linus Okom has abandoned him. Hon. Idagbor’s other strong supporters like Hon Signur Omang Idiege, the Special Adviser on Community Relations and former Assembly member has left him. Even former Gov. Imoke whom he used to ride to power has abandoned him saying he is selfish and arrogant.
There is also the story that Hon. Idagbor, has been issued a vote of no confidence by his people-the Ijibor Community who accused him of passing off state government empowerment programmes as his own.
Feelers from the constituency revealed that the Governor may have commenced moves to have Hon. Idagbor replaced at the national assembly. To this effect, youths of the area we hear, have been clamoring for Hon. Dornclaimz Enamhe, the Governor’s SSA on Youth and Branding, to step into the fray.
However, since the clamour began, Hon. Enamhe is said to have been facing a surprise adversary in the person of the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Martins Orim. Orim is said to have told those yearning for Hon. Dornclaimz’ emergence, that there was no vacancy at the Bekwara/Obudu/Obanliku Federal Constituency seat, sending signals that he, Orim, was ready to even fight against his principal, Gov. Ayade to ensure the return of Hon. Idagbor to the NASS, next year.
How the whole episode will end, is a matter yet to be decided.
