In every democracy, the true currency of political relevance is credibility. Credibility is not built on rhetoric, media visibility, or political maneuvering alone. It is earned through service, measurable accomplishments, responsible stewardship of public trust, and a willingness to be assessed by the same standards applied to others. Public office is ultimately a public trust, and those who occupy positions of authority must be prepared to account for their stewardship.
As Cross River State settles into the administration of Governor Senator Bassey Edet Otu, and as political conversations ahead of the 2027 elections continue to gather momentum, public discourse should move beyond personalities and focus on principles. The defining question is not who speaks the loudest or commands the greatest political attention, but who can present a verifiable record of impact and who is willing to subject that record to public scrutiny.
Recent political exchanges in Cross River, particularly those surrounding the role played by Okadigbo, have once again brought the issue of accountability to the forefront. The concerns expressed by stakeholders, including Comrade Declan Ogar-Genesis, reflect a broader sentiment within sections of the political class that public office and party leadership should produce measurable benefits for institutions, party members, and the wider society.
The administration of former Governor Ben Ayade provided several opportunities for Cross Riverians to serve in strategic capacities. Among those opportunities were the office of Director-General of Due Process and the position of Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, both occupied by Barr. Alphonsus Ogar Eba.
These were not ceremonial positions. They carried important responsibilities touching on governance, institutional oversight, procurement processes, party administration, stakeholder engagement, and organizational development.
During that period, many party faithful devoted considerable effort to expanding the APC’s reach across Cross River State. Political networks were strengthened, new members were mobilized, and considerable energy was invested in sustaining the party’s structures. As with any collective political effort, many supporters naturally expected that the growth of the party would be accompanied by stronger internal institutions, wider participation, and opportunities that would benefit a broad spectrum of members.
Where such expectations are perceived to have fallen short, disappointment and criticism are inevitable. Some party members have publicly argued that the administration of the party during that era did not adequately address issues of inclusion, recognition, and internal reward mechanisms. Whether or not those perceptions are universally shared, they deserve thoughtful engagement rather than dismissal, because strong political parties are built on trust, fairness, and transparent leadership.
This is not merely about individual grievances. It is about the health of democratic institutions. Political parties that fail to maintain confidence among their members often struggle to retain talent, sustain loyalty, and inspire public confidence.
Across Cross River State, there have also been increasing calls for reconciliation among former allies. Reconciliation is undoubtedly essential for party cohesion and for strengthening democratic competition. However, genuine reconciliation is usually anchored on openness, dialogue, accountability, and a willingness to honestly review past decisions and experiences. Calls for unity are often more persuasive when accompanied by sincere engagement with concerns raised by stakeholders.
Rather than encouraging the public to simply move on from previous disagreements, democratic accountability requires that reasonable questions about stewardship be addressed. Citizens and party members alike are entitled to ask:
What institutional reforms were advanced during Barr. Alphonsus Ogar Eba’s tenure as Director-General of Due Process? Were procurement systems strengthened in ways that produced lasting benefits for Cross River State?
As State Chairman of the APC, what enduring structures were established to strengthen party administration from the ward level through the local governments? How were women, young people, and grassroots stakeholders incorporated into the party’s decision-making process?
What verifiable projects, initiatives, mentorship programmes, institutional improvements, or organizational achievements can be directly linked to that period of leadership?
These are legitimate governance questions. They are the same questions citizens should ask anyone who has held public or party office and now seeks higher responsibility.
Today, Governor lSenator Bassey Edet Otu’s administration is itself being evaluated on the basis of visible key performance indicators (KPI), including infrastructure development, reforms within the civil service, investment promotion, and social intervention initiatives. Whether one agrees with every policy decision or not, democratic governance requires that governments present budgets, projects, and measurable outcomes for public assessment. That is the essence of accountability.
By the same standard, those who previously occupied influential public and party positions, and those who aspire to provide alternative leadership, should also present comprehensive scorecards of their stewardship.
Criticism of government is a constitutional right and an indispensable feature of democracy. However, such criticism becomes even more compelling when accompanied by evidence of effective leadership demonstrated in previous assignments.
The public conversation should, therefore, emphasize outcomes rather than personalities. What improvements occurred within the institutions under their supervision? What systems became stronger? What measurable progress was achieved? What lessons emerged from their stewardship? These are the questions that elevate democratic debate above partisan exchanges.
It is also important to recognize that public service should be assessed primarily by its contribution to society. The central issue is not speculation about personal circumstances or private affairs, but whether opportunities entrusted by the public translated into broader opportunities for citizens. How many people benefited from programmes initiated during that period? Were institutions strengthened? Were young people empowered? Did communities experience measurable improvements? Were governance processes enhanced in ways that outlived the tenure itself?
These are objective standards by which leadership should be measured.
As Barr. Alphonsus Ogar Eba’s name continues to feature in political discussions regarding future electoral contests, including reports linking him with possible gubernatorial aspirations under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he is fully entitled under the Constitution to pursue any political ambition of his choice. Democracy guarantees every qualified citizen the right to seek elective office.
However, higher political aspiration necessarily attracts a higher standard of public accountability.
Anyone seeking the governorship of Cross River State should be prepared to answer three fundamental questions.
First, what is the proposed development agenda? How will it address the economy, education, healthcare, infrastructure, security, agriculture, youth employment, and industrial growth differently from previous administrations?
Second, what is the verifiable record of stewardship in previous positions of responsibility? Which initiatives succeeded? Which challenges remained unresolved? What lessons were learned from those experiences?
Third, how will future leadership strengthen inclusion, transparency, institutional development, and equitable opportunities across the three senatorial districts?
These questions are neither hostile nor partisan. They represent the minimum standards citizens should expect in a constitutional democracy.
Cross River State has spent too many political cycles revolving around defections, counter-accusations, personality clashes, and political rivalries. The consequence has often been weakened institutions and declining public confidence in the political process.
The state deserves a different political culture—one rooted in evidence rather than emotion, performance rather than propaganda, and accountability rather than slogans. Every leader who has benefited from public trust should be prepared to demonstrate how that trust translated into measurable public value.
This principle applies equally to those currently in government and to those seeking to replace them. Governor Bassey Edet Otu must continue to be held accountable for governance, service delivery, fiscal management, infrastructure, and economic development. Equally, those presenting themselves as alternative leaders should welcome scrutiny of their own records with the same openness they demand from the incumbent administration.
The future of Cross River State will not ultimately be determined by who dominates political conversations or social media narratives. It will be shaped by those who present the clearest vision, the strongest evidence of past performance, the greatest commitment to institutional development, and the most credible plans for the future.
To party stakeholders who feel dissatisfied, their experiences form part of the institutional memory of the political process and deserve respectful engagement through appropriate democratic channels. To Barr. Alphonsus Ogar Eba and his supporters, this is an opportunity to present a detailed and verifiable account of past stewardship and articulate a compelling vision for the future. To the people of Cross River State, the enduring responsibility remains the same: demand facts, measurable achievements, policy clarity, and transparent leadership from every aspirant, irrespective of party affiliation.
Democracy grows stronger when political debates are anchored on evidence instead of insults, on performance instead of personalities, and on accountability instead of assumptions. Public trust is sustained when leaders are willing to explain their stewardship, acknowledge their records, and submit themselves to informed public evaluation.
That is the democratic standard Cross Riverians should insist upon as the state approaches the 2027 elections.
…. Odok, a legal practitioner, writes from Calabar, Cross River State.
