One highlight of today’s convocation of the University of Calabar is the conferment of Phd in Education Administration and Planning on the Chief of Staff to Cross River governor, Liyel Imoke, Alex Egbona. Political watchers have been quick to say that the acquisition of this Phd is one in a series of actions geared towards firming up his credentials as he embarks on a political quest to represent his native Yakurr/Abi Federal Constituency in Nigeria’s House of Representatives.
While Egbona has not publicly declared his intention to unseat former Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Bassey Ewa, who presently occupies the position, his ‘political body language’ points watchers to the fact that he is in the running for the position. His political consultations seem to be broad and all inclusive in nature. Only yesterday, January 21, 2014, at about 09.18pm, calitown.com sources spotted him going to consult with immediate past CR Commissioner for Environment, Sandy Onoh, admist tight mobile police presence. Believing that Egbona was in Onoh’s house to see a mystery guest who was responsible for the heavy police presence at Onoh’s, Bassey Edem street residence in the State Housing Estate, Calabar, calitown.com sources said “the man is defying political conventions and pushing ahead with his ambition knowing too well that he has to tap from everywhere and avoid inheriting Imoke’s enemies if he hopes to make a headway”.
Calitown.com sources again say a reception is billed for Egbona this afternoon in Calabar, to celebrate the conferment of this Doctorate and feelers point to the fact that it will be another political roll call at the reception.