by crossriverwatch admin
Political associates of Goddy Jedy Agba, a governorship aspirant in Cross River state have petitioned the National Chairman of PDP, Adamu Muazu and other members of PDP National Working Committee over the ‘persecution’ that the governorship aspirant is facing in the state.
In the petition signed by Imoke’s erstwhile Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Sandy Onor; former National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Venatius Ikem; former Special Adviser and Vice Chairman of State Planning Commission, John Omori; former member of Cross River House of Assembly, Bassey Ibor; former member of House of Representatives, Ernest Irek; and former Executive Secretary in the state, Pius Achu, they all stated that contrary to claims by the State leadership of the party that Jedy Agba, is not a party member, he is a registered member of PDP in Utugwang ward.
According to the petition obtained by CrossRiverWatch, the petitioners affirmed that: “We hereby bring to your notice that Prince Godwin Jedy Agba, was registered in 2011 as the 79th member of the PDP in Utugwang Central Ward of Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State.
“We the friends of Prince Godwin Jedy Agba, see no reason for singling out our friend and respected Prince of the State for such outbursts and calculated attempts to stifle and derail a viable aspiration. We remain resolute, steadfast, committed to this vision and through which the renaissance of Cross River State is imminent”.
The petitioners further said there is no law in the country that can deny any citizen the constitutional right of freedom of association or becoming a member of any political party as suggested by the Party leadership in the state due to Jedy’s status as a civil servant with the NNPC and referred to a Supreme Court judgement in 2002, where the dichotomy between civil and public servants was settled.
“We are surprised that as a State Chairman of the ruling party, Ntufam Okon is unaware that the dichotomy between civil/public servants and non civil servants regarding membership of political parties has been settled by Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and confirmed by the highest court of the land on 18th November, 2002.
“His Lordship Justice Ayoola JSC in his lead judgment in the case between INEC and Attorney General of the Federation Versus Musa (2003) 3 NWLR (Part 806) 72 Obiter dictum per Uwais (CJN retired) averred that “There is nothing reasonably justifiable in a democratic society in the interest of the defence, public order, public morality or public health, prohibiting a member of the civil service from eligibility to be registered as a member of a political party.
“Similarly in his concurrent judgement, His Lordship Justice Mohammed Uwais upheld the provisions of Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution and further contended that “the civil service rules which restrict the participation of civil/public servants in politics are not derived from an enabling Act or Law or a subsidiary legislation.
The petitioners urged the national party leadership to prevail on the state executive to allow the delegates to determine whether Mr. Goddy Jedy Agba is fit for the job or not and avoid subjecting the entire process to the whims and caprices of some individuals.
“If indeed the character, qualifications and conduct of Agba falls short of the criteria of the party at this juncture, it behoves on the delegates to the gubernatorial primaries to exercise their discretion through a democratic and transparent process.” The petition said.
follow us on twitter @crossriverwatch
Leave feedback about this