DISCLAIM OF APPOINTMENT GIVEN BY THE CROSS RIVER STATE POLITICAL NETWORK CRISPON: By: Obasesam Okoi of the Cross River State Diaspora Watch: @CrossRiverWatch Fellow Cross Riverians: I would like to denounce the recent publication by Prince Michael Nku Abuo of the Cross River State Political Network, suggesting that I have been appointed as member of a committee constituted to organize a so-called Cross River Diaspora Summit in Manchester, United Kingdom. By this proclamation, I am giving Prince Michael Abuo and his organization two weeks from the date of this notice to retract any correspondence with my name that has been forwarded to the Cross River State Governance, the British Embassy in Nigeria, corporations and politicians soliciting donations and special favours, or purporting that I have endorsed such a proposal. Failure to retract my name from any such undertaking will attract a law suit. Pursuant to this proclamation, I would be writing to the State Government, the British Embassy and the Immigration Department in the United Kingdom, to notify them that I am not a part of this transaction and do not wish to be involved in their business. Here are my reasons. 1. Sometime in February 2014, the Director General of the Cross River State Political Network Prince Michael Nku Abuo, called my home in Canada to solicit for my assistance in organizing a proposed Cross River Diaspora Summit in Manchester, United Kingdom. I believed in Michael because of his previous activities and had wanted to engage him in a program that I am proposing to undertake in Cross River. And as a progressive, it was difficult to turn down a request from a young man like me. I accepted his request because I felt his proposal has the potential to attract my positive contributions. The event was schedule for the end of March, 2014. 2. While I was still investigating the nature of Diaspora Summit, Prince Abuo had taken a step further to publish my name as Secretary of a so-called Local Organizing Committee, along with seven other Cross Riverians including one Dr. Mathew Okiri – all resident in the diaspora. 3. My decision to dissociate myself from this undertaking was prompted by the result of my investigations. 4. Sometime last week Prince Abuo initiated a meeting of so-called stakeholders. Throughout the conversation, which was not well coordinated, I was asking questions such as: A. Have you arranged for the venue of this event? B. What is the nature of arrangement? C. What activities do you intend to promote? D. Who is delivering a paper – and on what topic? E. What are the logistics for the various activities you are proposing? F. Who is negotiating the visits to the various farms and government offices which you are proposing as part of the event? G. What is the hotel arrangement for the speakers? H. How many persons are attending this summit from Nigeria? I. What are their responsibilities? J. What are their visa arrangements? K. Who is responsible for drafting letters of invitation? L. What travel arrangements have you made for the various speakers? M. Who is sponsoring this event? N. And what is the nature of sponsorship? O. Can you forward the proposal to us? P. Can you forward the names of all speakers and registered attendees? Q. And if an event is taking place one month away and in a foreign while none of these questions has been answered, how legitimate is this summit? 5. The only answer I received from Michael Abuo was that he had submitted a proposal of 30 million naira to the state government and was waiting for the governor’s approval. 6. Rather than responding to the various questions, Prince Abuo decided to change the venue of the proposed event from Manchester to England, even when he does not live in England and doesn’t have a United Kingdom residency. 7. Within 24 hours, Michael had updated his facebook profile with news that he was in Abuja to meet with the British Embassy and was asking us to draft letters of invitation. 8. A few days later, Michael initiated a campaign endorsing Governor Imoke for the Central Senatorial position, contrary to his earlier campaign promoting youth participation in governance. I felt this was hypocritical – and I cannot be a party to hypocrisy. 9. As I continued my investigation, I stumbled upon some privileged information that made me uncomfortable dealing with anyone acting under CRISPON and seeking to promote a diaspora summit in the United Kingdom. 10. Mike had previously initiated a similar conversation with Mrs Paulina Morphy and Mr Godwin Apple, both Cross Riverians resident in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Whatever transpired between them is none of my business. 11. MY FEARS. There is a possibility that our names might be used to draft illegal conference invitation letters to people waiting to elope to the United Kingdom. Also, the whole story surrounding this diaspora summit is vague. 12. MY FEAR. I am afraid that using our identities to solicit for a 30 million naira donation from the government for an event that seems unrealistic might damage my integrity. I do not want to be associated with such transaction. 13. I have worked so hard to earn my reputation and will not give anyone an opportunity to drag my name on the mud. 14. It is for these reasons that I chose to dissociate from any transactions with CRISPON or Prince Michael Abuo concerning the diaspora summit. 15. Michael is a smart gentleman and has earned my respect for his intelligence. While I do not regret my action, I wish him great success. 16. Long live Cross River State!
Posted on: Thu, 06 Mar 2014 08:35:29 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015