By Joseph Kingston
Calabar
Cross River state Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, has denied speculations and media reports that he was seeking to go to the Senate when his tenure expired next year.
The alleged senatorial ambition would have pitched the Governor against the Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba. They are both from Cross River Central Senatorial district.
Speaking to Blueprint yesterday in Calabar, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Christian Ita, said the governor would not run, but would retire at the end of his tenure.
He said: “His Excellency is not contesting. He is retiring but people seem to believe rumours and speculations. Have you seen him do any campaign? Have you seen any poster anywhere or have you seen him holding any meeting with anybody about going to Senate?
“It is not true. In politics, things are not hidden; at least you would have seen a sign. If he was to contest, you would have known. People just want to whip up sentiment to cause problems between His Excellency and Senator Ndoma-Egba.”
Also speaking on the issue, a legal icon in Cross River and social crusader, Barr Utum Eteng, said “it would amount to selfishness if the governor runs. Imoke and Ndoma-Egba are very close and since the Senate leader has indicated interest to go back, the governor should support him.”