C'River PDP Protest Planned Demolition of Dep Gov Candidate's House, Says Move Vindictive ...Ekpang Says Other Appointees Affected
Bassey BASSEY
The Cross River State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has protested against planned demolition of a house belonging to Alphonsus Eba within the Water Board premises in Calabar, Cross River State capital.
The party described the move as political vendetta and injustice targeted against the opposition in the state, wondering why government should come up with such a policy a few months ahead of general elections.
The protesters carried various placards with inscriptions like "stop injustice, we warn", "Leave Alphonsus Eba alone" "Cross River belongs to all of us, no intimidation is acceptable".
Addressing the protesters, who gathered against the planned action at the party Secretariat in Calabar.in Calabar on Thursday, the PDP State Secretary, Joe Bisong, said the government’s record on development was poor, but the party could not tolerate what he described as "targeted injustice against opposition members.
“If the government has gotten up from its slumber today and wants to right the wrong, let it be done in a manner that will be seen to be justice for all Cross Riverians.”
He argued that the PDP was not against development, recovery of Water Board land for overriding public interest. However, he said the party was against what he called "vendetta against its members."
Bisong noted that Eba was allocated the land as APC chairman, but the house is now being marked for demolition after Eba became PDP deputy governorship candidate.
“Today is the turn of Alphonsus Eba. Tomorrow will be the turn of another PDP person. And that is why you are here to say enough is enough.”
Calabar South PDP Chairman, Hon. Felix Ofiong, said the government is applying the law selectively, listing the houses of the serving senior officials in the APC administration, former and serving lawmakers and exco members within the same area.
"If they are truly are mere yr then all houses must go down. We have no issue with that. But singling out one or a few people is marks of vendetta.
" If the state government says that the Water Board was meant for its original purpose, they have to demolish every property.
Selective application of justice is injustice. We stand against injustice”, Offiong said.
Reacting, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Erasmus Ekpang Ph.D, noted that the demolition notice may not be unconnected with the total overhauling of the Water Board to provide pipe borne water to Calabar residents.
He pointed out that 20 buildings, mostly belonging to appointees of the governor, including the immediate past Commissioner for Special Duties and the Cross River South senatorial candidate of the APC, Mr Oden Ewa, were affected.
Ekpang further explained that notices have previously been given to this effect and that those affected refused to act on them.
According to him, "This is not an issue that started today. Those affected by this notice were warned against buying and erecting these structures, but they didn't take these warnings seriously.
"I would also like to appeal to the political class to stop playing politics with the issue of development.
"We need to support the government in her developmental efforts in whatever possible way we can, and this is one of them. Being a responsible citizen," he concluded.
THE BEAGLE NEWS
