Assistant Politics Editor, DANIEL KANU, takes a look at the battle for the Cross River Central senatorial seat between Victor Ndoma-Egba and John Owan-Enoh.
There are indications that the Cross River Central senatorial district seat at the National Assembly would be keenly contested in the next general elections.
The reason is simple: the two aspirants for the seat, Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, and House of Representatives Committee Chairman on Appropriation, John Owan-Enoh, are not leaving anything to chance in going for the ticket. Both are experienced and seen to have performed. Just as Owan-Enoh is an experienced hand in the Green Chamber by the fact that he has been in the legislature for three terms, Ndoma-Egba has equally served three terms in the Red Chamber. Both seem optimistic in clinching the party’s ticket at the crucial primary.
Incidentally, it is considered that the winner of the primary will win the senatorial seat, given that no other political party in the state can contain the winning streak of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which seems to have dominated the political space in the state.
While Ndoma-Egba is seeking to renew his mandate for the fourth term, Owan-Enoh intends to advance to the Senate where he says he would perform even better.
The two have been receiving endorsements from professional groups, political caucuses and communities.
At an empowerment programme organised by Ndoma-Egba at Ikom few months ago, Senate President, David Mark, was present to throw his weight and by extension that of the upper legislative chamber behind the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), describing him as one of the forces responsible for the stability in the Red Chamber.
Mark had also stated that Ndoma-Egba needed to be returned to the Senate to sustain the growth of the region.
“If Victor Ndoma-Egba goes back to the Senate, there will be sustainable empowerment. If he doesn’t go back, you cannot sustain the empowerment. I hope that language is clear to those who are here. Go out and spread that message,” Mark had charged his audience.
Even recently, hundreds of persons gathered at a town hall meeting also in Ikom within Constituency 2 (Bakor) to declare support for Ndoma-Egba. The crowd reportedly comprised support groups. Even the paramount ruler of Nnam clan of the Bakor people, Dr. Peter Eku, at the occasion, assured Ndoma-Egba of his people’s support.
“We cannot fail you,” he pledged.
Elsewhere, at the recent inauguration of Ikom Strength, a political movement in the central district, where over 26 communities endorsed Owan-Enoh, their chorus was that the creation of political space for others was imperative.
Their claim was that after 12 years of representing the zone in the Senate, it was only appropriate for Ndoma-Egba to pave the way for Owan-Enoh to be elevated from the House of Representatives to the upper house since he has never failed in his representation to his people.
Curiously, TheNiche gathered that there has been pressure on Owan-Enoh to step down for Ndoma-Egba.
The presidency, it was learnt, has “ambushed” him, making watering offers to change his mind from contesting.
A source that would not want to be mentioned explained that Owan-Enoh would be a candidate to beat in a free and fair poll.
According to the source, “if Owan-Enoh is allowed to contest the primary with Ndoma-Egba, the latter will lose the election. It is not that Ndoma-Egba is not good; but in terms of followership from the grassroots, Owan-Enoh will floor him. Forget what they are brandishing as the achievements of the senator, if you see the need-meeting services Owan-Enoh has carried out in the senatorial zone and beyond, you will bow for the young man.”
Owan-Enoh told journalists in Lagos that there was nothing stopping him from the race, just as he disclosed that “nobody has been endorsed by anybody for the Cross River Senatorial district”.
“It will be interesting for us to go and test our popularity from those we represent,” he stressed. “There is going to be a fair contest during the primary in the senatorial district and the popular aspirant will become the party’s candidate for the general election. What will be the outcome of that contest will reflect our several years of representing our people.
“When I declared to run in the 2011 election for the House of Representatives, I did that in Obubra and I told my people that it was the last time I would contest for the House. The calculations are that in democracy, you must create space, opportunity and chance for others. If I contest for the fourth time, I will win; but I need to create space and seek a higher office with new challenges.
“I am quite convinced that I will do better in the Senate, and that is why I want to go there. If I did not go to the House of Representatives, whatever potential I have now might not be seen. My federal constituency (Obiora-Etung) is the only one that has not gone to the Senate. I am from Etung and as I go to the Senate, I have opened the space for a new politician to come in from Obubra. I have all it takes as a former university teacher to give our people quality representation. As far as the people are going to vote, forget it, I will emerge because I am the preferred choice of the people.”
Political observers have continued to contend that the epic battle between the two lawmakers is one that would require very deep consultations with the people.
Political commentator, Clement Ekpenyong, told TheNiche that “nothing is impossible where PDP issue is concerned. The Presidency and PDP national leadership may step in and may see the race, as usual, as a family affair and pressure on Owan-Enoh to step down for Ndoma-Egba with a good offer of plum political appointment. Of course, he can’t say no. So until their last negotiation, you cannot predict correctly how any of them will emerge.”