HON. EMMANUEL A. IBESHI Fellow Cross Riverians Greetings from COALITION FOR CHANGE ADVOCATES Since the return to democracy in 1999 Nigeria has produced great minds, responsive and responsible leaders from across the State and the Nation at large. Notable amongst this new generation leaders who have left a mark in the sands of time is Hon. Emmanuel Awhan Ibeshi from Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State who cut his teeth in 1992 winning elections into the Federal House of Representatives in “Option A4” under The SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY (SDP). It is worthy to note that Obudu Local Government was 100% “NRC” when Ibeshi won his election into the House Of Representatives; the only seat SDP won in the entire elections in the 3rd Republic. His election marked the beginning of charismatic leadership foisted by a sense of purpose and high moral and spiritual values he introduced during his short stint at the National Assembly assessing elected leaders between the 3rd Republic to date. His name needs no introduction in the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP). He is a foundation member of the PDP. He became the 1st National Publicity Secretary of the Ruling party in a keenly contested National Convention of the party in 1999 at Eagle’s Square Abuja where he defeated interim National Publicity Secretary, Senator Anietie Okon in a dramatic manner that portrayed the hand of God upon his life. As the first “image maker” of the PDP he set a pace that the office of the National Publicity Secretary became the coveted trophy for all and sundry, but alas, his finesse, contributions and comportment are yet to be matched or rivaled by any successor to date. His ability to manage the image of the biggest and largest party in black Africa emerging from prolonged military rule amidst strange political bedfellows contributed greatly to the PDP boasting about settling its affairs as family matters due to Ibeshi’s prowess with the Press. Hon. Emmanuel Ibeshi’s political standing puts him up as the first public Office holder at the hierarchy of the National Working Committee of PDP or any other political party in Nigeria to reject an automatic extension of office from 2 years to 4 years making it 6 years cumulative because of integrity and commitment to the rule of law and deep-seated reverence to right standing with God. This bold altruistic stance made him the conscience of current evolving Nigerian politics. Of course he was severely vilified for the audacity and summarily dealt with and abruptly deposited in the refrigerator after his tenure expired in WADATA PLAZA in 2001. His altruistic characteristic and reverence to God first manifested in 1992 when he was elected into the Federal House of Representative as Chairman, House Committee in Banking Currency. A committee he got the best in the sector to advice. Notable amongst them were the late Dr. Clement Isong (Former CBN Governor and Fmr Governor, Cross River State) Mr. Paul Oguma, Fmr CBN Governor, Mr. Ralph Osayeme, Mr. Nath Origbo, Mr. Chudi Mba and the scion of the Industry Mr. Gamatiel Onosode etc. Hon. Emmanuel Ibeshi is experienced, internationally exposed and hard working. Hon. Emmanuel Awhan Ibeshi, the late Senator Paul Ukpo, Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu, (Fmr Gov. of Lagos State) Hon Tokumbo Afikoyomi (later Senator), Late Senator O. J Adewumi and Hon. Wale Osun were the first initiators of what later became NADECO an organization raised to resist the intervention of Gen. Sani Abacha’s military coup. Hon. Ibeshi had cut his political teeth with this group of democrats who fought for the realization of June 12, which has become an indelible date in Nigerian history. During this struggle, Senator Liyel Imoke, who was in the National Assembly with Hon. Ibeshi in 1992-1993 reconnected with Hon. Ibeshi in 1995 when he brought Mr. Donald Duke who had just served in H.E. Clement Ebri’s administration as Commissioner for Finance to Ibeshi’s office in Surulere Lagos to position their thoughts for the way forward for Cross River State in the struggle to return to democratic rule against Gen. Sani Abacha. This later took the trio to joining forces with Chief Don Etiebet’s ANCP. That was the birthing of the vision for current Cross River State as it is. Senator Imoke midwifed the “Cross River Dream” with several meetings held in his home. Strategic committees were formed for the economy of the state and the political diversity as well as its social perspective. These committees comprised of notable sons of Cross River State like Dr. Pius Tabi Tawo, Mr. Sonny Igiri, Barr. Iyke Ugbizi, Mr. Dave Ashang, Mr. George Bassey and a host of others. Imoke as the initiator of these strategic moves never considered himself for governorship. He really looked up to Ibeshi and Duke to step into the first slot. The rest is history as we have all seen the slots taken by Duke and Imoke representing Southern and Central Cross River State. It is only fair, reasonable and justiceable for the mantle going to Northern Cross River to go to Hon. Emmanuel Ibeshi who is the only one outside Duke and Imoke in that foundational slot yet to complete a dream properly midwifed thus far. We know in Nigeria’s peculiar democratic system, many equate effective representatives with spoils of office, but a good representative should be judged according to his/her performance in the positions held and how much those positions have affected the lives/development of the people. They should be judged by what vision they have for such an office. We in the Coalition For Change Advocates have observed keenly with pride and admiration the person of Hon. Emmanuel Ibeshi amongst candidates jostling for the Governorship of Cross River State. We wish to draw the attention as well as appeal to Cross Riverians to support the aspiration of this amiable talent in the person of Hon. Emmanuel A. Ibeshi as the best for 2015 governorship for our dear state to continue with the vision and dream they (Imoke, Duke and Ibeshi) amongst many others had while planning for the rebirth of Cross River in the pre-Abacha days as we gear up for another march to general election in 2015 We call on the good people of Cross River State to begin to count their gains as they look circumspectly at having Hon. Emmanuel Ibeshi as Governor of Cross River State. His intellectual capacity, urbane, and international exposure and political experience puts him tops for the office of governor. Cross Riverians, we respectfully present an eloquent and vibrant, charismatic godfearing man who will continue to project not only Cross River State brand to Nigeria but the world at large!! Let us shun opportunism and face reality; our voice should be “IBESHI COME 2015 FOR GOVERNOR”!!!! The issue of contesting election to have a bite of the state cake should no longer be our motivation for seeking political office. As a Coalition for change in Cross River State, as people with like minds, cutting across political leanings in the three Senatorial Districts of the state, we do wish to call on our people to dispassionately assess Hon. Emmanuel A. Ibeshi and clamor for his aspiration to be Governor of Cross River State in 2015. WE MUST USE TIME WISELY AND FOREVER REALIZE THAT THE TIME IS ALWAYS RIPE TO DO RIGHT
Posted on: Wed, 22 Oct 2014 08:40:06 +0000
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