By Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar
A concerned citizen and political analyst, Comrade Emmanuel Oko, has raised questions over the alleged planned demolition of the Calabar residence of former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State and current Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deputy governorship candidate, Barr. Alphonsus Ogar Eba.
In a statement issued to journalists in Calabar, Oko said that about two weeks ago, rumours began circulating about an alleged plan to demolish Eba’s mansion.
“At first, the rumour appeared fictional, clothed in the garb of a Fabian strategy—a war of attrition designed to weaken an opponent through sustained pressure rather than direct confrontation,” he said.
According to him, the reports have since gained momentum, spreading across local tabloids and electronic media platforms and generating mixed reactions from the public.
Oko stated that the house in question is reportedly the only residential property owned by Barr. Alphonsus Ogar Eba in Calabar.
The property, he noted, is located in the Water Board area and is alleged to have been built on a water conduit.
Assuming the allegation is true, Oko asked a series of questions: “Who sold the land? Who approved the building plan? How many houses have been marked for demolition?
Adding that What becomes of the Deputy Governor’s residence? What about the house belonging to Dr. Betta Edu? Should the list continue? Prof. Zana Akpagu has a house in the area. Oden Ewa, the APC candidate for the Cross River Central Senatorial District in the 2023 elections, is reportedly building there. Ntufam Edim Inok also has a house there.”
He further questioned why the property was not marked for demolition during the 2023 election period or while Eba served as APC State Chairman.
“Why has the issue emerged now that he belongs to a different political party? Is this action politically motivated?” he asked.
Oko argued that if other structures within the same area are not subjected to similar scrutiny, the public could reasonably conclude that the action amounts to political witch-hunting.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s democratic experience since 1999, Oko said he could distinguish between the legitimate exercise of power and politically motivated actions.
He described selective justice as the unequal application of laws and regulations, where similar offences are treated differently based on political affiliation, social status, wealth, influence, ethnicity, or personal relationships.
Recalling his own political experience, Oko said he defected from the APC to the PDP on February 11, 2023, during the general election period.
According to him, Barr. Alphonsus Ogar Eba made repeated efforts to persuade him to remain in the APC but was unsuccessful.
Even after his defection, Eba continued to urge him to support the APC governorship candidate at the time, Senator Prince Bassey Otu.
Oko revealed that the last phone call he received before the election came from Eba, while the first call on election day, at about 4:15 a.m., was also from him, urging support for the APC candidate.
He said that although he and others delivered victories for the PDP in most elections, they voted for Prince Bassey Otu in the governorship election.
“The results remain on record,” he said.
Oko concluded by stating that politics is unpredictable and urged political actors to remember that today’s circumstances may change tomorrow.
If you’d like, I can also rewrite this in a more balanced newspaper style by clearly separating the allegations from verified facts.
