From the Desk of Cross River State APC Senior Chieftain, Ambassador Pastor Bill Francis Bill
The political history of Cross River State cannot be rewritten to suit the ambitions of today. In 2023, Arthur Javis openly supported Sandy Onor and took a position against the political argument that the governorship should return to the South after eight years of northern leadership. that position remains part of the political record and is relevant today because the same Arthur Javis is now presenting himself as an aspirant for the governorship. for those who fought for the Back to South principle, his political position in 2023 remains a legitimate subject of public discussion.
The question is straightforward: what if Sir Ayade Kjsi CON, Governor Bassey Edet Otu and C'Riverians had not stood firmly for the Back to South movement? what if former Governor Ben Ayade had not remained firm within the political process that eventually produced the transition to the Senator Prince Otu administration? what if the people who championed the return of power to the South had surrendered at that critical moment? these are questions that deserve to be remembered whenever those who opposed or questioned that political arrangement come forward today seeking the same office. the 2023 election ultimately produced Bassey Otu as Governor, with the official result giving him 258,619 votes against Sandy Onor’s 179,636 votes.
Arthur Javis’ support for Wike messenger boy Sandy Onor in 2023 also places his present political ambition within a history that Cross Riverians can examine for themselves. political alliances change, ambitions evolve and former opponents can become allies, but public statements and political positions remain part of the record. today, Arthur Javis is seeking political relevance as an aspirant, and his past position on the Back to South question will naturally form part of the conversation surrounding his new ambition.
There is also a continuing dispute within the Cross River PDP over its competing political structures and claims of legitimacy. in that context, describing Arthur Javis as a PDP factional aspirant reflects the fact that competing factions have emerged around the party’s leadership and candidate-selection process. however, the exact legal and organisational status of those competing structures remains a matter for the relevant party authorities and, where applicable, the courts to determine. what should not be disputed is that Cross Riverians have a right to examine the political records and positions of every aspirant seeking their support.
To the opposition, especially those in the fractional PDP, the message is simple: political ambition does not erase political history. the Back to South struggle, the 2023 governorship contest, the alliances that shaped that election and the positions taken by political actors remain part of Cross River’s democratic history. anyone seeking to lead the state today should be prepared to explain where they stood yesterday, what they stand for today and what they intend to offer Cross River tomorrow. the people, not political propaganda, should ultimately examine those records and make their own informed decisions.
Signed:
Ambassador Pastor Bill Francis Bill
Cross River State APC Senior Chieftain