“Back to South is about Collective Responsibility. Where everyone that has been shouting Back-to-South is to be held accountable for the failures or successes of the incoming government led by someone from the South. In other words, Back to South proponents are saying the next government will not be a one-man show. It will be a collective, where we all contribute with either good ideas or hot criticism to keep the government on its toes. It is the idea of a Cross River where the entire district, whose turn it is, takes responsibility for what the government does having been given the opportunity to lead by the other 2 senatorial districts. They cannot wash their hands off and say it is the governor’s fault. No. So, Back to South is not about putting an incompetent person as Governor simply because he is from the south…” Arc. (Etubom) Bassey Eyo Ndem
Over the weekend, a natural ruler and former Commissioner for Lands and Housing in Cross River, Arc. (Etubom) Bassey Ndem finally bowed to frantic efforts by a cross-section of journalists in Calabar the Cross River State capital to get his attention and elicit his perspective about the recent outburst from former Governor Donald Duke against the incumbent Governor Ben Ayade. During the interview, Arc. Ndem also introduced a fresh dimension to the much-talked-about back-to-south narrative which bothers on the political rotation of power.
Thanks for granting us this interview… You have heard of the controversy over remarks made by His Excellency Donald Duke about His Excellency Ben Ayade and comments by various persons, what is your take on this matter, please?
Yes, I heard of the statements made by His Excellency Donald Duke about His Excellency Ben Ayade. In fact, some of you sent me the video clip and yes, I’ve watched it too.
The first thing I noticed is that Gov. Duke said he sits with Gov. Ayade and they drink stout and crack jokes. Well, I have never had the privilege of sitting with Gov. Ayade to drink stout and crack jokes. It sounds like what friends do.
The second thing I noticed is that Gov. Duke said Gov. Ayade sent him an annoying text. Please has any of you seen or read that text? No? Well, I haven’t seen the text that provoked the outburst either.
So, since they drink stout, crack jokes, and exchange texts, it sounds to me like they are good friends. Sometimes friends quarrel but a lot of times they make up. Especially when they don’t reveal everything about what caused their quarrel. When they eventually make up and drink their big stout I won’t be there. This is one lesson that life has taught me.
Furthermore, it is said that the outburst was at a Southern Senatorial district PDP meeting. Well, my questions are:
- Is Ayade running for Governor for a third term?
- Is he running for Senate in the Southern Senatorial district? If the answer to those two questions is NO, then you should understand that this whole thing was a clever distraction game.
While we are busy abusing and defending each other, have you not noticed that our attention has been diverted from the main issues? Two weeks from the election we are talking about Ayade and Donald Duke neither of who is in a gubernatorial race. They are the hot topic occupying media space and other people’s attention. Well, I am not deceived or distracted.
Our goal is Prince Otu for Governor of Cross River State. Our goal is back to south and that’s where I am focusing my attention and energy.
My advice is every protagonist should sheath their sword. This distraction is unnecessary and has the potential to create division in the South if not well managed.
Well, you have mentioned Back-to-South, as a signatory to the accord, do you still believe in it?
Back to South is about the rotation of power, equity, and justice. These are universal principles because, without rotation, one group or family can decide to hold on to power for 100 years because they have amassed wealth and influence and so they may be tempted to think Might is Right, as has happened in some African countries. And that will leave the other citizens with no option but to get violent and introduce chaos. So every right-thinking Cross Riverian should shun anything that will bring violence or chaos. But more importantly, Back to South is about Collective Responsibility. Where everyone that has been shouting back to south is to be held accountable for the failures or successes of the incoming government led by someone from the South. In other words, Back to South proponents are saying the next government will not be a one-man show. It will be a collective, where we all contribute with either good ideas or hot criticism to keep the government on its toes. It is the idea of a Cross River where the entire district, whose turn it is, takes responsibility for what the government does having been given the opportunity to lead by the other two senatorial districts.
They cannot wash their hands off and say it is the governor’s fault. No. So, Back to South is not about putting an incompetent person as Governor simply because he is from the south. Every Senatorial District in Cross River has dynamic and competent men and women. In the South, we had 13 who indicated interest and when Prince Otu emerged, the remaining 12 rallied around to give him support. Non went to court to challenge anything. That is a clear signal that everyone is ready to contribute his quota to ensure that the next government of Prince Otu, a competent, humble, and emotionally intelligent man, succeeds and makes Cross Riverians proud. That is what Back to South is all about. All Cross Riverians should thank Gov. Ayade for not succumbing to pressure and temptation, by sticking to the Back to South agenda. Eight short years from now, when young men and women from Central are gearing up and South and North are not acting as spoilers by fielding aspirants, people will remember Ayade and say God bless that man, he had foresight.
But some prominent names in the South like Edem Ekong and Ogban Ebok have defected. Doesn’t that mean they don’t believe in Back-to-South?
Yes, it’s true that few have left the party but have you asked them why they left? Have you seen or heard any of them say it is because they think Prince Otu is incompetent or a stooge? Have you heard any of them criticize Prince Otu?
Of course, they won’t, because people have their reasons for associating with one party or another, and it is never about Prince Otu’s competence or otherwise.
2023 and beyond is not about party sentiment or does the Naira scarcity affect only people of one party? When you go to buy fuel at 350 Naira a liter does the fuel attendant ask to see your party card in order to give you a discount? Listen, Party, Ethnicity, Tribe, and Religion are cards that the elite play to deceive the masses. Poverty and hardship do not recognize tribe or religion or party. So people should open their eyes.
Mark my words, once Prince Otu wins, most of our brothers that left for one reason or the other, will rally around him to support him in their way and ensure that he delivers good governance to Cross Riverians. That is the essence of Back to South collective responsibility. Thank you.