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  • POLITICS: Imoke's Zoning Formular & PDP's Relegation of a Senatorial District.

    By Efio-Ita Nyok
    At the third tier of government Cross River State comprises
    eighteen constituents or better still local government areas. These 18 LGAs are
    further collapsed into three senatorial districts namely Southern, Central and
    Northern senatorial districts.
    The southern senatorial districts has seven LGAs including
    Bakassi, Akpabuyo, Calabar South, Calabar Municipality, Odukpani, Akamkpa and
    Biase. The central senatorial district is composed of six LGAs which are Ugep,
    Abi, Ikom, Etung, Boki, and Obubra. Bekwarra, Obudu, Ogoja, Obanliku and Yala
    are the five LGAs that make up CR senatorial district.
    CR state is one of the 36 states of the federation called
    Nigeria. One distinctive feature of Nigeria’s politics is what may be referred
    to as the ‘Zoning System’. At the federal level of politiking, this system is
    entrenched by what is referred to as the Federal Character. According to this
    system, public offices whether elective or appointed, are distributed based on
    existing senatorial structures, ethnicity, religion, gender, etc. The fact is,
    responsibilities are shared such that every senatorial district comprising
    ethnicities and LGAs are carried along and harmonised. The sequel of this
    zoning culture is rotation of public offices amongst these senatorial districts,
    etc. So, while in one political dispensation a senatorial district is
    designated to a set of public offices, in another political era, there is a
    switch or change. This formula has characterised our national political clime
    at all level. CR state is not immune to this culture.
    Beginning from the fourth republic, that is from 1999 to the
    present, there has been a zoning culture evident to political actors. For
    instance in 1999, CR southern senatorial district was designated to produce the
    gubernatorial candidate and Mr. Donald Duke emerged and his deputy Mr. John
    Okpa was from Central senatorial district precisely Obubra, while the office of
    Speaker was from the north. In the 2007 general election, the seat of the
    governor would be zoned to central senatorial district as the mantle of
    leadership fell on Mr. Liyel Imoke. His deputy, Barr. Efiok Cohbam is from the
    south. The speaker has consistently emerged from the north in this
    administration. As we prepare for the next round of general elections in 2015 the
    governor in his wisdom decided that the rotation should be even by ensuring
    that he hands over to a ‘northern’ governor. It was owing to this that Prof.
    Ben Ayade was selected in the primary of the state PDP last year.
    However, the governor truncated the tradition in the last
    PDP Caucus session of December 2014 held at the Presidential Lodge by deciding
    that the south would still produce the office of Deputy Governor while the
    office of Speaker and Secretary to State Government have been ceded to the Central
    senatorial district of the state. If we recall that the present deputy governor
    is from the South and has been there for two tenures of eight years. If the
    rotational character of our zoning culture is to be adhered to religiously,
    then the office of deputy governor is supposed to be zoned to the central as
    they have never occupied this office in recent times if at all they have manned
    it at all. While the speakership is supposed to go to the South. The question
    becomes why!?
    Why has the governor decided to cede the deputy governorship
    to the south? Does he want to perpetuate it there? I am of the opinion that
    what may be informing this perpetuation of the deputy’s job in the south is
    nothing other than selfishness venting itself as nepotism. The governor is
    understood to want to ensure that his maternal cousin from Biase, namely
    Professor Evare Esu emerges the next deputy. On the other hand, one may be
    forced to ask, if he so loves the cousin why did he not tip him for
    Speakership? The expected answer is that the governor wants his central
    senatorial district to man Ben Ayade’s administration. Or, better still, the
    Governor Liyel Imoke wants to pursue a third term agenda by controlling this
    next state government through his cronies from the central senatorial district.
    Again, knowing that in Nigeria and by implication CR state,
    the office of Deputy Governor, Vice Chairman, Vice President, and all things
    deputy or vice is always passive, it seem to me that Imoke wants to paralise
    the south politically and the north as well by holding strongly to the top job
    in the state Assembly and Secretariat. While the title of my story highlights
    the relegation of southern senatorial district, from the above analysis the
    governor is relegating the entire state. Liyel Imoke, like Wole Soyinka opined
    concerning Goodluck Jonathan, want to be the Nebuchadnezzar in CR state, or the
    only cock to crow in the post-Imoke administration.
    This is piteous! However, let me wish my fellow Cross
    Riverians a happy new year and hope for better chanfe in our political climate!

  • SPORTS: Frank Lampard Extends Contract At Manchester City

    By Samuel Ekun:

      Super Frank Lapses have accepted a contract extension from Manchester-City till the end of the Season. 
    Lampard 36, has made an immense contribution and impact at City since joining the club in August on Loan from MLS club New-York City, mainly with the intention to maintain fitness before linking up with New York City for the Major League Soccer Season which begins in March.
     
    Frank Lampard in His usual manner known to be a goal scoring midfielder has scored six goals in 17 appearances for the premier league champions, although He has started only three league games.
    His initial short term contract at the Ericsson was due to Expire on January 1, but an agreement has now been reached for Him to remain with City until the end of the Season. 

    Frank Lampard who left Chelsea at the end of last season, will now be available for City’s Premier League game against Disneyland on New Year’s Day and He will continue to be available for all domestic and European games for the remainder of the campaign. His extended stay with City has added value with Usually Toure set to go to the Africa Cup Of Nations in January, while forwards Sergio Aguero and Edinburgh Dzeko are both currently injured. 

    New York have given the move their blessing with director of football Claudio Reyna Saying “Frank Lampard is a star and it is no surprise that Man City is rewarded by His contributions on the field every single day. He is eager to get to New York once His commitment ends in England and will be available to play on arrival as a permanent member of the squad given He will come to us having played at the highest level. We are all committed to making sure we build a winning team and that our fans get to enjoy great soccer at every single game. The opportunities open in the immediate transfer window combined with our recent successful draft ensure that we can continue to assemble a World Class team that will make New York City Soccer fans proud”.

    Now with this, I wonder the reception He will receive when He visits Stamford bridge knowing fully well He scored against Chelsea coming on as a substitute in the first encounter their first encounter this Season in Ethihad.

  • SPORTS: Tottenham And West Ham Scramble for Super Eagle Star Player

    By Samuel Ekun

    Super Eagles Star and CSKA Moscow forward Ahmed Musa has denied any knowledge of interest from Tottenham and West Ham.
    The January transfer window is now upon us, and London rivals Tottenham and West Ham are bound to be linked with a number of players throughout the month.
    Yet in the case of CSKA Moscow forward Ahmed Musa, both Spurs and West Ham have been touted as possible destinations for the Nigerian.
    Musa, 22, has impressed since he first came to Europe at the age of 18, starring with Dutch side VVV Venlo before making a 2012 move to Moscow.
    With 42 caps for Nigeria to his name already, Musa is one of the Super Eagles’ star players, and proved his worth at the World Cup, scoring twice against Argentina – becoming the first Nigeria to ever hit a brace in a World Cup match.
    Unsurprisingly, Premier League teams are being linked with a move for Musa, with eight goals in 24 games for CSKA this season – and according to reports in Nigeria, Spurs and West Ham were set to go head-to-head in order to sign the pacey forward.
    However, Musa says that hasn’t heard of any interest from either club, pouring cold water over any speculation of a move this month.
    “I don’t know anything about the reported interest of Tottenham and West Ham in signing me,” said Musa. “My club and my agent haven’t told me anything of such. I am here enjoying my holiday.”

  • SPORTS: Micheal Owen Predicts Tottenham Versus Chelsea Clash

    By Samuel Ekun

    Former Manchester United and Liverpool striker Michael Owen looks ahead toThursday’s Premier League clash between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea. And from His point of view Chelsea have the edge to ease past Tottenham Hotspur.
    Former Manchester United and Liverpool striker Michael Owen has backed Chelsea to return to winning ways on New Year’s Day.
    Jose Mourinho’s side will take on Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane in the Premier League on Thursday.
    Chelsea will head into the clash on the back of a 1-1 draw with Southampton away from home which almost damped their hopes of winning the title had Man City won their match, while Spurs also failed to win on Sunday.
    Owen predicts Chelsea to pick up the three points in North London and wrote on Betvictor.com: “I shall be at the Lane where I expect to see title-favourites Chelsea return to winning ways against a Spurs side who improved in the second half against United last weekend having looked pretty ordinary in the first 45 minutes when keeper Hugo Lloris saved them on numerous occasions.
    “Chelsea are unbeaten in their last nine against Spurs in the PL and Cesc Fabregas has eight assists, and two goals, against the North London outfit in his last eight games against Spurs.”
    Former England international Owen seems pretty confident of a win for Chelsea, but Tottenham’s chances should not be written off just yet.
    True, Mauricio Pochettino’s side had to rely on goalkeeper Hugo Lloris for a point against Manchester United at White Hart Lane on Sunday, but they are enjoying playing at home once again.
    Spurs are on a five-match unbeaten run and will make it tough for the Blues. Perhaps they will not head into the game as favourites, but they will certainly fancy a draw against Chelsea.
    A single goal could prove to be the difference between Tottenham and Chelsea.
    Do you agree with Michael Owen’s prediction?

  • SPORTS: Arsene Wenger Skeptical About Signings This January Transer Window

    By Samuel Ekun

    Arsenal Will Sign In January If Right Opportunity Presents Itself – Arsene Wenger
    Arsenal Manager, Arsene Wenger, has revealed that the Gunners will make signings in January, if the right opportunity presents itself.
    The Arsenal Manager has hinted that he would strengthen his squad during the winter transfer window and he explained his approach at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.
    “There is a need there but the right opportunity has to come up. To buy (just) to buy is not what we want to do, but if the right opportunity comes up, we will do it.
    “If you look at the number of games some players played, and the injuries we have with Wilshere, Ramsey and Arteta, we are a bit short at the moment in midfield.”
    Wenger has not ruled out a loan switch for Yaya Sanogo, but he played down reports linking Lukas Podolski with a move to Inter Milan.
    “He’s a player of Arsenal Football Club and I want him to stay,” said the manager.
    “Apart from that, what it is to be professional is that as long as you are somewhere, you give your best to justify your wages and your love for the club.
    “I hope (that Podolski will stay). (The) Inter Milan (reports) are not serious. They talk, it is only talk.
    “Offensively we have many options (when everyone is fit), too many to keep everyone involved with the right number of games, that is for sure.
    “I don’t really doubt (loan deals) in some positions where players need experience. That’s not the case for Podolski but players who need practice because they’re at a very young age like Sanogo, it is not impossible.”
    Arsenal now sit fifth in the league table with 33 points from 19 games, three behind third placed Manchester United

  • POLITICS: Will Buhari Scale Through INEC's Screening?

    By Efio-Ita Nyok

                         
                                      Muhammaddu Buhari

    There is serious contention on the academic qualifications
    of the Presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress APC, namely,
    Major General Muhammaddu Buhari. On one hand, it is alleged that the
    credentials of the said aspirant is in the custody of the Secretary of the
    Military Board (according to an affidavit signed by the aspirant); on the other
    hand, it is contended that the said aspirant is not academically fit to run for
    elections.
    The objective of this article is to bring both arguments
    into perspective. With regard to the forner argument, namely, that all of
    Buhari’s academic qualifications are resident in the files of the Secretary of
    Nigeria’s Military Board, the question is: why is it that the military is still
    keeping Buhari’s certificates? Is it standard practice that certificates of all
    forner serving military officers are always kept in the custody of the
    military? If the response is in the negative, as it were,  why is Buhari’s credentials still kept there?
    No reasons have been articulated until now. Even though it were to be there
    can’t it be retrieved? If it can, why has it not been retrieved since 2007 or
    2011? The corollary becomes, with what certificate did Buhari contest the 2007
    & 2011 general elections? With an affidavit? And even though an affidavit
    is tenable, why didn’t Buhari deposed such before the APC’s presidential
    primaries poll according to INEC’s ruling? Why after? If these affidavits were
    not presented in the two previous presidential elections, is it that Buhari
    forgot to collect them from the Secretary, Military Board through seven years?
    What a forgetfulness! From the foregoing, it seems that GMB may not in truth
    have passed any examination whether military or otherwise.
    That is to say GMB does not have a First School Leaving
    Certificate, a WAEC/GCE certificate, no OND or HND, no First Degree, Masters or
    Doctorate, and no PSC, MNI or FSS. Could this be true.
    With regards to the latter
    contention namely that GMB is not fit academically to contest elections, this
    is the position of the ruling PDP, perceived detractors of the general. If the
    above questions can’t be answered, it is evident that Buhari is not
    academically sound to contest for the presidency because to depose for the
    third time that the military is keeping your certificate without telling us
    reasons why the military board Secretary has refused to let go those
    certificates, when my father, a former Naval officer’s certificates after over
    three decades service to the military, are handy as I write, is too flimsy an
    excuse.
    It stands to reason then that the
    rumour making the rounds that GMB never passed any examination may be factual.
    That is to say, GMB is not intellectually sound from an academic point of view.
    He could not even pass the PSC examination, which imply that he should not have
    been promoted to the position of Major General in the first place, that he was
    promoted affirms the proposition that he was always promoted courtesy of a
    quota system. He always failed his examination like General Abacha.
    If the leadership of the APC are
    aware, why did they allow this? Is this the change we are anticipating? From
    literacy to illiteracy? In light of this, will the Professor A. Jega’s INEC
    clear Buhari to stand for elections come February 14, 2015? With what logic
    will he scale through?
    I am of the opinion that
    Muhammaddu Buhari will be allowed to contest the presidency on the sentiments
    that the rule of law is not cherised in this part of the world. Besides, when
    Tinubu ensured that Buhari beat Atiku in the last APC primary polls, he knew
    that there was another mountain to surmount and they had prepared for that.
    Let’s watch out as events unfolds. But from all indication, both the APC and
    GMB are guilty of over ambitiousness to occuoy the reins of power. There may be
    a hidden agenda these politicians have in store.

    But God forbid all the enemies of
    Nigeria! God bless this Nigeria!

  • POLITICS: Jeddy Agba Takes A Bow!

                                         Mr. Jeddy Agba
    By Efio-Ita Nyok
    Unconfirmed information making the
    rounds through the length and breadth of CR state has it that Mr. Jeddy Agba,
    the popular gubernatorial candidate who resigned from contesting in the just concluded
    PDP Gubernatorial Primaries in the state is taking a bow out the gubernatorial
    race in the forthcoming general elections of 2015.
    It will be recalled that sequel to
    Mr. Jeddy Agba’s withdrawal to contest at the primary polls in the state PDP it
    was rumoured that Mr. Agba would still be gunning for the top job of the state
    come 2015, albeit, from another party platform namely the Labour Party (LP).
    Accordingly, it was rumoured that
    Mr. Agba had been adopted as the concensus gubernatorial candidate of the LP in
    Cross River State. On social media platforms many of Agba’s fans peddled the
    idea of Agba’s candidature in the LP. They are even seen to draw fisty cuffs
    against perceived detractors of Agba.
    Mr. Jeddy Agba is understood to be
    a gentleman in the sense that sequel to Prof. Ben Ayade’s emergence as the
    gubernatorial candidate of the PDP in the state, Agba was seen to congratulate
    Ayade unlike others who didn’t and couldn’t. So, while it was rumoured that
    Agba had defected to LP, Agba was yet to make it official as Sen. Bassey E. Otu
    did last week to his fans who gathered to welcime him at the airport.
    Jeddy Agba’s alleged decision to
    remain in the PDP despite his displeasure with designated power centres in the
    state is informed by his decision of the Presidency who adviced strongly
    against it. It is perceived that should Agba defect, then the reelection bids
    of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan would be profoundly affected negatively. It may have
    been in deference to the national leader of the party that he took this
    decision.
    Furthermore, this decision would
    demoralised both his fans and other defected and defecting aspirants. Others
    have even hailed him as a true democrat. However, Negroid Haven will keep her
    numerous fans updated on related development. 

  • LIFESTYLE: Feel The Swag?

  • TECHNOLOGY: SceneFlix Launches Cinema App On Android & iPhones

    By Eyo-Eyo Ene Okon

            Movie lovers need not to miss their favorite movies any longer as Africa’s premier cinema app, SceneFlix today launches it app on Android & iOS platforms.
    Sceneflix, is bringing the cinema world closer to movie lovers, through their mobile phones, has introduced a first-of-its-kind mobile application, which will enable its users gain access to cinema locations, latest blockbuster, premier and short movies; by simply downloading the free application on Google Play and iOS App Store.
              According to Co-founder and Creative Director of Sceneflix, Adenola Olateru-Olagbegi
    “The idea is borne out of the desire to deliver top-of-the-range entertainment to movie lovers at exceptional and unrivalled speed.  The Sceneflix App is free  and user-friendly showcasing landmarked cinemas and movie theatre based on updated listings on the go. The app enables its users to utilize their power of choice with movie-theatre locations and real-time up to date movie showtimes within the geographic region.”
    iOS & Android device users can download this amazing app from the App and Google Play stores to enjoy the many benefits it has to offer.
    Other features of the app include the ability to rate and review movies, as well as theatre experience, watch trailers for current and upcoming movies and navigate cinema/theatre location via GPS.

    Our contemporary generation is characterised by unrivalled technological advancement. Technology has the reputation for, in this context, bridging the challenge of space and time. Negroid Haven is poised to updating her numerous audience with the latest achievements in the world of technology.

  • ENTERTAINMENT: Photo Reel of Carnival Calabar 2014

    By: william oyo-ita