By Ikechukwu Uche
Senator representing Cross River North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, has punctured holes in the assertion made by Edo state governor, Godwin Obaseki, stressing that the People’s Democratic party in the state was at peace and formidable.
In a signed statement made available to newsmen on Monday in Calabar, Jarigbe stated that contrary to the assertions of Obaseki, the PDP in Cross River has remained focused with the constant assistance of Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike.
“Contrary to the assertion of Governor Obaseki, the PDP in Cross River is at peace and very formidable, with the constant assistance of Governor Wike. If the governor is referring to the defection of Governor Ayade, as the “destruction” of the PDP in Cross River State, then we totally disagree with him. It is rather seen as good riddance to bad rubbish”, he stated.
“At some point, Governor Ayade became an albatross in our party, and when he left, there was jubilation. In fact, if Ayade left the PDP because of Wike, a fellow governor, then it is testament to how clearly handicapped Ayade was in the context of being influential and committed to the Party. While Governor Wike supports PDP states that do not have governors, financially, physically and otherwise, some governors are complacent, laid back and not forth coming with any support for the party in states, like ours. Please, Governor Obaseki should leave Cross River State PDP out of the hullabaloo in the Edo PDP. Cross River State PDP is together and does not need the membership of any governor, who has performed abysmally. We do not want a baggage.”
The statement went further to say that, “…the issue with all of us is that, when Governor Wike goes out of his way to support our states, we see him as a good man; but whenever his interest conflicts with ours, he becomes a terrible man. That is the paradox of life. I wonder if politics is no longer a game of interest. This constant demonization of Governor Wike because of his interests is puerile. Once more, be assured that Cross River PDP is stronger and better than when we had the governor and let us all learn to reciprocate support. When Governor Wike comes to support our states, we go on our knees in gratitude and when we win, he becomes a bad man. Very unfortunate,” he concluded.
