By Goddie Akpama
It is no longer news that Sir Victor Abang aka “Mature”of the All Progressives Congress, APC, is the member-elect for Ikom/Boki Federal Constituency.
Abang emerged winner after a keenly congested election against Barrister Atah Ochinke of the Peoples Democratic Party, and a few other candidates.
For years, Mature as he is popularly known has been a close aide of the former Leader of the Senate, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba.
So, when Abang emerged as the candidate of the APC those who are conversant with his political history were quick to conclude that his nomination was sponsored and influenced by Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba. They were right.
So, in the election proper, Ikom/Boki had to be won by Mature, else Ndoma-Egba’s political opponents will shout at the top of their voices that he has failed to deliver Ikom/Boki to the APC.
It is needless to say that Ndoma-Egba jumped into the field to personally lead the campaigns of Mature and other APC candidates for the Ikom/Boki Federal Constituency and Cross River Central Senatorial District.
From his base in Ikom, Ndoma-Egba actively led the campaigns through the wards, villages and hamlets of very vast,Ikom Local Government Area and Boki Local Government Area.
Ndoma-Egba took his campaign personal and mobilized all concerned to ensure victory for Mature at the February 25th polls.
Despite the Obidient frenzy that took the nation’s landscapes like wildfires, Mature won the keenly contested election.
So, it is a misplaced desperation for any other self acclaimed political leader who does not come from Ikom or Boki LGAs to attempt to appropriate the victory of Mature and claim that he or she made it possible.
Due commendation and respect must be given to Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba for braving all the odds to ensure that Victor Abang the APC candidate, won the keenly contested Ikom/ Boki Federal Constituency election.
Akpama is a Politician and Social Critic, lives in Calabar
