by MY VICTORY IS FOR THE GOOD OF ALL CROSS RIVERIANS
On Thursday, May 26 2022, delegates of the Peoples Democratic Party from all the three senatorial districts of our state made a loud and clear statement, availing me their mandate as their preferred flagbearer for the 2023 governorship election in Cross River State.
It was a keen contest by all standards and in such contests, it is always expected that only one winner would emerge. Nevertheless, I must boldly make the point that even as the mandate was specifically handed to me, we are all winners.
I have slept over what happened before and on that day and have come to the conclusion that it was neither a race for the swift nor a battle for the strong but it was God Himself that made it possible for me to emerge winner. I therefore thank the Almighty for finding me worthy to be that instrument that He will use to take our state back to the path of honour and pride.
I am even more humbled at the maturity and sportsmanship displayed by all the aspirants, especially the major contenders for the governorship ticket -Senator Gershom Bassey and Rt. Hon Ntufam Daniel Asuquo. My respect for them has soared and I am sure they have also earned the respect of, not just our party members, but also the generality of the people of Cross River State. I celebrate them for displaying their love for our party and state. By publicly acknowledging the transparency of the entire electoral processes and congratulating me on the victory immediately after the exercise, I doff my hat for them. They have become heroes in our common struggle for the greater good of our state. By their collective action, they have jointly deepened the integrity of our party across the entire state and shown that together, we can truly move this state forward.
I must also thank and commend the electoral panel for the display of extreme transparency in the conduct of the primary election. The panel was made of men and women of impeccable character who came to Cross River to show that transparent accountability is possible in the conduct of electoral exercises. They were not just transparent and sincere but were also seen by all to be so. They gave a very good account of themselves.
Let me thank our party, the PDP, for allowing a level playing field for everyone.
Our leaders were excellently wonderful. I therefore wish to particularly thank our former governors- Mr Donald Duke and Senator Liyel Imoke-for being true leaders. They showed class, character and purpose as they guided all of us throughout the entire processes. The same appreciation goes to our national woman leader, Professor Stella Attoe and other PDP leaders at all levels who were also there for us, ensuring that we have a peaceful and successful primary election.
Before and after my election as the PDP flagbearer, other party members got their tickets for various positions. I commend and congratulate all of them. They have become partners in progress and together, we will take our state to a higher place.
I am not unaware of the enormous responsibility ahead of me as the candidate of the best political party in our state and in Nigeria. Therefore, on my honour, I promise to guard this mandate jealously. I will provide purposeful leadership and do only those things that will invigorate our commonality and strengthen our desire for a better Cross River State where everybody, irrespective of language, local government, federal constituency and senatorial district will become a stakeholder and beneficiary of our programmes and projects. I have always said that I am in this race for the good of all the people and I stand by that.
As we look ahead to the general elections, I enjoin all lovers of peace and development to get ready to join us as we bulldoze everywhere in a bid to reposition our state and restore her lost glory. I am actually in a hurry to restore the dignity of our state and will be glad and honoured to have all patriotic Cross Riverians with us to enable us reclaim the state with ease. Let us shun everything that will divide us along ethnic lines. Let us stop every attempt to balkanise our state along the lines of primordial sentiments. Wherever you may come from, it is important to see yourself first as a Cross Riverian. This way, we will rediscover ourselves and will be bound by one purpose, one vision and one focus.
A new and better Cross River is possible. Let’s make it happen.
May God bless us all.
Signed
Senator Sandy Ojang Onor
PDP Governorship Candidate
Cross River State
