By Our Editorial Team
Monday, November 24, 2014 has been fixed by the National leadership of the People Democratic Party (PDP) for the conduct of the cancelled Ward congresses in Cross River State and two other states in the country.
The November 1, 2014 Ward Congresses brought so much acrimony among the the much talked about PDP family in the country in general and members of the party in Cross River State in particular.
The November 1, 2014 Ward congresses in the state, as had been the culture since 1999 was celebrated and described as transparent and peaceful by the leadership of the party in the state, but few days after that celebration, Cross Riverians and other Nigerians in the state were again told by the same leadership of the party in Cross River State that the ward Congresses elections were massively rigged by a group with an interest different from that of the government in power in the state.
Since then, it has been accusations and counter accusations from the supposedly Imoke led group on one hand and the Senator Ndoma-Egba/Jedy-Agba group, and the entire state suffers from the fracas.
It is the view of CrossRiverWatch that now that the National office of PDP, despite pending litigations, has considered it wise to give the two contending groups in the Cross River State chapter of the party another opportunity to go back to the field, the Ward congresses must be conducted in accordance with Democratic principles/tenet, not for the aggrandizement of those in power in the state, nor for any other group or individuals, but for the interest of the people of the state, whose right it is to choose those to lead or represent them.
The rescheduled Ward Congresses must be conducted so that the out come should truly reflect the wishes of the people and not that of a cabal. It is our position that what is happening in the state is healthy for the growth of democracy.
It is a great lesson for the ruling class in the state to know that it cannot continue to be business as usual, that you can fool the people for some time, but that you can’t fool all the people all of the time.
Our leaders should equally be aware by now that Cross Riverians are now better informed politically and otherwise than they were some years back, courtesy of an emerging liberalized information dissemination system that is penetrating and providing the people with factual and balanced reportage of developments in the state.
What CrossRiverWatch and the good people of the state demand from the umpires of Monday, November 24, 2014 rescheduled ward Congresses is level playing ground for all aspirants, and that the outcome of the Congresses should be a true reflection of the people wishes, devoid of threats, intimidations and influence of any sort.
We warn that if this time around the PDP in the state refuses to do what is right, there are many options for Cross Riverians to place their destiny on come 2015. This is certainly the time to act and do what is right-It will certainly pay.