Cross River PDP Caucus Screening Was A Pre Arranged Charade – Ibeshi

By John Ushie

Mr. Emmanuel Ibeshi, former PDP National spokesman has told CrossRiverWatch exclusively that he will proceed to the national headquarters of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to purchase the nomination form to contest the governorship election in 2015 despite the announcement of a five man final list by the party in the state.

The former member of the House of Representatives while reacting to the release of the five man list said the whole process of consultation with the caucuses was pre arranged and aspirants paid to be rated.

In a statement by Mr. Ibeshi made available to CrossRiverWatch, he said: “In as much as I have unflinching loyalty to the party, I’ve never been known to side with illegality or injustice.

“The methods being used to determine the next governor do not align with the party guidelines nor do they give the generality of the party the opportunity to make an informed choice of who their next governor should be. Given that the governorship is zoned to northern Cross River State, it doesn’t mean whoever so emerges will be governor of north or of PDP only.

“At best if the caucuses were meant to avail opportunity to the zones to meet the aspirants, there was no such publicized itinerary showing schedules when aspirants would be expected at different zones or LGA caucuses.

“Most aspirants got information through text messages or hints and had to avail themselves to these caucuses with pre determined scores. It can best be described as a charade and a huge was of money by aspirants who were basically being made to outspend each other on these caucuses some spending from as much as N4,000,000 to as low as N100,000 to be rated. Ridiculous if you ask me. And this is also after having paid a mandatory N2000,000 for Data Admin charges.

“However, if these meeting meant well, at least the caucuses would have been rounded up with LIVE TV/RADIO BROADCAST to showcase the aspirants to the state and the world pioneering a model for objective leadership recruitment where aspirants prove their capacity in an interactive session.

“But this exercise fell far short of that expectation and cannot stand scrutiny nor litigation. The good thing the governor said is that no one is barred from picking his Nomination Form in spite of the five man name tag. Because it would be illegal and unconstitutional by the guidelines provided by the party for the emergence of the party flag bearer in the 2015 general election.” The statement concluded.

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