In what seem like a spirited attempt by Cross River senators to clear the air over rumours of governor Imoke’s ill health and death, Senate Leader Chief Victor Ndoma-Egba, SAN, has joined his colleague Senator Ayade to debunk the rumour going making the rounds in Cross River State that Governor Liyel Imoke has passed on.
Since Governor Imoke notified the state House of Assembly of his intention to go on leave, rumours of his death had been spreading like wild fire.
It was even reported that Imoke, who the senators say is resting in his house in Ellicott City, Maryland, United States of America was rushed to a hospital for a terminal kidney problem.
Speaking during his traditional celebration of Christmas and New Year with his constituents at Obubra Council headquarters, Monday, Ndoma-Egba said that when he saw Imoke recently, the governor was amused over the “wicked” rumour.
“This is not hearsay; I have seen Senator Imoke with my eyes in his house in America recently.
“When I arrived he asked me, have you come to confirm whether I am truly dead and I said yes.
“He is thoroughly amused because of the rumours that he is dead,” Ndoma-Egba who represents the Central Senatorial District of the state said.
The Senate Leader who said that the governor had taken his leave after working for several years without rest stressed the need for regular check up.
Condemning the rumour, the state chairman of Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, CNPP, Mr. Cletus Obun who was at the event accused some top members of the ruling People Democratic Party PDP in the state of being behind the death rumour.
The embattled Cross River State Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN Chairman, also accused a highly placed member of the state executive of being behind the rumour and cautioned that those who want to take over from Imoke Should drop their desperation and wait till 2015.
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