By Onwa Ekor
Cross River Commissioner for Information, Pastor Ekpenyong Cobham, has publicly questioned the public service record of the factional deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the state, Alphonsus Eba.
Cobham also described him as someone who should account for his past tenure before seeking higher office.
Speaking during a press briefing at the Ernest Etim Bassey NUJ Press Centre in Calabar, the Commissioner alleged that during Eba’s time as Director General of Due Process, the state witnessed unprecedented breaches of procurement and regulatory procedures.
“For all I care, Alphonsus Eba has become a content creator. He once held the office of Director General, Due Process.
“You and I as CrossRiverians are aware that never in the history of Cross River was due process so violated as under his watch,” Cobham said.
He further alleged that Eba’s tenure as the Chairman of the All Progressive Congress APC, in the state was marked by “extortion, maladministration and diversion of funds meant for party faithfuls,” claims that led to his exit from office.
The Commissioner also referenced a property allegedly built by Eba within the premises of the State Water Board, saying it is currently facing regulatory challenges “for lack of conformity with extant laws.”
“Let us not forget that he lost his office over these issues. If you are going to equity, you must come with clean hands.
“As a lawyer, if he believes he was wrongly pushed out, he should have gone to court to clear his name,” Cobham added.
The Commissioner noted that until such allegations are addressed before the appropriate authorities, Eba remains “a questionable character in the public domain.”
Cobham who was recently deployed from the transport ministry, stated that his office as Commissioner for Information would not be used to respond to individuals with unresolved public questions.
On politics, the Commissioner recalled a recent encounter where Eba reportedly said that after leaving the All Progressives Congress, APC, he had been crowned the deputy governorship ticket by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
“He is busy celebrating failure before ever winning an election,” the Commissioner said, adding that “we should not celebrate CrossRiverians who have failed in public office. Alphonsus Eba falls under that category.”
