By Ogar Emmanuel Oko
The Cold War was a period of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union, led by Joseph Stalin and later Mikhail Gorbachev, and its allies (the Eastern Bloc), and the United States, led by Harry S. Truman and later George H.W. Bush, along with its allies (the Western Bloc), after World War II. It lasted nearly from the late 1940s to the early 1990s and was characterized by ideological, political, and economic competition, as well as proxy wars and nuclear arms races, without direct military conflict between the two superpowers.
In Cross River State, there is an ongoing cold war between the state governor, Sen. Prince Bassey Otu, and his senator, Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong, for those familiar with the subtle sounds of political conflict. The governor and Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong, the senator representing the southern senatorial district which is where the governor hails from, are sadly square up in a proxy war. The duo is from Odukpani local government area. Their henchmen have been throwing all sorts of darts at each other over ownership of completed projects in the southern senatorial district. Though, the governor and the senator have kept straight faces as though nothing happens. But underneath, they're aiding and providing essential support to certain individuals doing their biddings in battle of words in the media. This has been sustained without them engaging directly in battles themselves. As the conflict rages, with third-parties fighting on their behalf in the media, they're free to pursue their objectives without risking direct confrontation.
In the beginning, before the 2022 All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial primary in the state, aspirants, mostly from the southern senatorial district were consulting stakeholders and party faithful. The most visible aspirants were Engr. Ben Akak and Hon. Asuquo Ekpenyong (now Senator). The rest were very economical and conservative in their consultations. The slogan "Ben2Ben" coined by Ben Akak to support the "Back2South" movement resonated with everyone. Using his resources, he promoted and enhanced the image of the APC, leading to significant acceptance of the party in rural areas through his philanthropic efforts. Despite all factors being considered, Prince Bassey Otu was selected by the party's decision-makers, while Asuquo Ekpenyong secured the senatorial position from the same local government area. Ben Akak, however, was left to rely on fate, much to the disappointment of many in the southern region, and across the state. The situation worsened for other local government areas in the south when another Odukpani native, Mr. Bassey Akiba of the Labour Party, emerged victorious in the main election for the Calabar Municipality/Odukpani Federal Constituency.
Trouble started when it was realized by the other Local Government Areas (LGAs) – Calabar South, Akamkpa, Biase, Bakassi, Akpabuyo, and Calabar Municipality – that both the governor and the senator hail from Odukpani. They felt that Odukpani had received disproportionate benefits since the advent of democracy in 1999. For instance, during the 8-year tenure from 2007 to 2015, His Excellency Efiok Cobham served as the deputy governor under Sen. Liyel Imoke's administration. In that same period, Sen. Gershom Bassey represented the state as senator for 8 years. Now, if nothing changes, both Otu and Asuquo will each spend 8 years as governor and senator, respectively.
Exhausted by what they perceive as marginalization and determined to alter the current situation by 2027, certain analysts and influencers are advocating a narrative suggesting that Odukpani must relinquish a slot to other LGAs. If this notion gains traction, anticipate changes, but undoubtedly, the governorship position remains non-negotiable. However, the allocation of national assembly slots may be open for consideration. The method for achieving this remains the prerogative perception of posterity.
Some opinion leaders have suggested that performance will be key in decision-making come 2027, and any elected officer who does not perform will be kicked out. The governor is working, and the senator and the honorable member are working too. However, the governor and the senator are struggling for credit. In the Calabar metropolis, streets are being graded, asphalted, concrete worked on, and illuminated with solar panels. In some cases, two contradicting signposts are mounted. One reads: 'Facilitated by Sen Asuquo Ekpenyong,' and the other says: 'Sweet Prince is working.'
As the proxy war persists, let's observe the unfolding schemes and intrigues.