CALABAR — GOVERNOR Donald Duke of Cross River State has accused members of the Atam Peoples Congress of being responsible for the death of his Special Adviser on Inter-Governmental Affairs, Mr. Eshu Egbelo. He was killed last week. Atam Peoples Congress is a socio-political group in the state comprising members of the northern, central and parts of the southern senatorial districts.
The group is exclusive to the Efik in the southern senatorial zone. In a broadcast in Calabar, yesterday, Duke said it did not matter whether the members of the congress who he accused of killing Egbelo were “still active or passive or (have) even (become) repentant” adding that, he was sure that the Congress members killed Egbelo. He did not however explain whether those arrested were members of the congress or whether preliminary investigations have pointed at the involvement of the chieftains and elements of the group.
On why he thought the Special Adviser was allegedly killed by members of the socio-political group, he said,"let me state unequivocally that the murder of my friend and colleague is the result of the activities of persons who constituted themselves into the Atam Peoples' Congress, and his blood lies in their hands, regardless, whether they are still active or passive or even since repentant. The seeds they sowed still grows.
"In the year 2002, when activities of Atam Peoples Congress” became widely known in the state, I did warn, through several broadcasts to the people of our state, of the danger posed by a small group, who in their efforts to wrest power, have yielded to the temptations of whipping up ethnic sentiments amongst our people. Although their activities had never in any way constituted a political threat to this administration, I was nevertheless worried of the negative impact, which such primordial sentiments would have on the psyche of our people.
"It was this reason that I even went to the extent of inviting members of this group to meet with me with the desire of pointing out the dangers of playing the ethnic card. On that occasion, I had this to say: 'Tribalism is like a monster. It could be easily reared, it could be nurtured with every excitement. But once it has attained maturity, it can no longer be controlled - not even by its master whom it can equally devour.'
"I went on to add that: 'The picture I have just painted, could very well pale into insignificance in comparison to the reality and potential of ethnicity and tribalism when fully accepted and practised by a people. For it then goes beyond the present practitioners and afflicts even generations yet to be born.'
"Today, fellow citizens, the wild seeds of ethnicity which members of the Atam Congress sowed in the minds of Cross Riverians have, unfortunately, germinated and begun to manifest in the activities of some of our people. Yes, the perpetrators of this dastardly act may think they have triumphed over their perceived enemy. But they are wrong. This, is one murder that would never be allowed to go unpunished."
