Perhaps in their first meeting after the controversial arrest and detention of crossriverwatch.com’s Emma Unah by the police for publishing a story about Cross River state deputy governor, Efiok Cobham, it is clear that the number two man in the state has not let that matter fly, www.calitown.com can reveal.
At a closed birthday sit out in honour of member representing Yakurr/Abi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Bassey Ewa, late yesterday evening, Cobham was livid with rage when Agba Jalingo, publisher of crossriverwatch.com was introduced to him. The deputy governor who did not veil his anger, made it known that he still has an axe or two to grind with the online news platform and wondered why his private affairs will be made public in the manner that crossriverwatch.com did. In the way he bitterly shook his head and fumed to Paul Adah, CR’s NDDC representative, who sat to the right of the deputy governor, animosity is the name of the game.
In order that the occasion will not degenerate into a fight between the two, Jalingo had to leave the venue and informed www.calitown.com this morning on the phone that he is unfazed and remains committed to pursuing truth, wherever it is hidden.
Sharp reactions have however trailed the action of the deputy governor. One commentator, on condition of anonymity told www.calitown.com that, “yes he has a right to feel unhappy about whatever was reported that he felt umcomfortable with, but in reacting the way he did, he just made more news for you guys. He shouldn’t have acknowledged Jalingo, it would have made better public relations”. Another source was comical in saying that, “Efiok should know that as deputy governor, he is public property and whatever he does or reacts to is very news worthy”. The source concluded by saying that, “make that kind thing no dey vex am, no be street man him be, abi him don forget where him dey come from?”
There are those who insist that “because the man is a deputy governor does not mean he cannot have his private issues. If we encourage the kind of journalism that squats in peoples’ toilets, we will not advance in our quest for the truth”, as one supporter of the deputy governor put it.
For now, the battle line may have been drawn between the deputy governor and the online platform and His Excellency’s body language does not promise an amicable settlement soon.
I read until the end and haven’t spotted the main issue that caused d uproar. I would had something to say. But as it stands, the online publisher, judging from my own point of view, has erred.