The Lumine News

Category: 2023 General Election

  • I Commend You For Enduring The Sufferings For 7 And Half Years And You Would Be Stronger – Donald Duke To Ikom Traditional Rulers

    I Commend You For Enduring The Sufferings For 7 And Half Years And You Would Be Stronger – Donald Duke To Ikom Traditional Rulers

    By Elijah Ugani 

    The former Governor of Cross River State and Chairman, PDP Campaign Council, Mr Donald Duke has commended the Ikom Traditional Rulers Council for enduring the long sufferings mated on cross riverians by the government of Sen Ben Ayade and assured them that things are going to be better.

    Former Governor Duke made the remarks during the PDP consultation with the Traditional Rulers on January 19th 2023 at Ikom.

    In his words “I commend you for enduring the sufferings for seven and half years and you will be stronger.

    “This is the time for your all to stand up and be counted. This election would determine the next level of the state. If what has happened in the state is right, then vote for them, but if not vote wisely for the future of your children.

    “We want to groom young people. But you don’t get it by sitting down and hoping for honey. Don’t wait for monthly alert and other forms of deception”

    Speaking further, Duke called on community leaders to effect the needed change. “We call on community leaders to effect this change because our communities are decaying. We believe in you and your subjects.

    “Sandy is the arrowhead to rescue the state at this time. It has nothing to do with where you come from. We hope with him things would be different. We need restoration and if we don’t get it right this time, we are doomed”

    On his part, the Governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party PDP, Sen Sandy Onor thanked the Ikom Traditional Rulers Council for honoring his invitation and maintained that “We came to formerly let you know that I am the official candidate of PDP.

    “Chiefs are custodians of truth. The voice of the people is the voice of God. We must stand up together and repair our state.

    “We have quality people and would give you quality representation.

    “Old Ikom has never had the privilege or opportunity of producing a governor. And we have not done anything wrong.

    “We have joined hands in the past to make others governor. So they should join hands to reciprocate our gesture. We are qualified, we have the intellectual capacity and are in the right party.

    “I have been endorsed by Duke and Imoke whose years as governors were brilliant.

    “And then Gov Ayade came and put the state in reverse gear instead of going forward, we are going backward. They have turned things upside down. Govt has been reduced to wururu.

    “They recruit young men with no office and job description and then pay them higher than the chiefs that govern our land.

    “All the APC candidates would resemble Gov Ayade. Your mandate is a value and trust. It should be used responsibly”.

  • Kalita Igbe Aruku Leads Hundreds of Defectors To PDP As Campaign Council Storms Ogoja

    Kalita Igbe Aruku Leads Hundreds of Defectors To PDP As Campaign Council Storms Ogoja

    By Elijah Ugani 

    As the quest by the People’s Democratic Party PDP, to reclaim Cross River State heightens, a former State House of Assembly Aspirant for Ogoja State Constituency under the All Progressive Council APC, Engr Kalita Igbe Aruku, led hundreds of supporters and defected to the People’s Democratic Party PDP in Ogoja.

    The event which was held on Wednesday 18th January 2023, was part of the party statewide campaign ahead of the general elections.

    Addressing the people at the former St Thomas’s Teachers Training College TTC, Ogoja, Aruku held that “My decision to leave the APC is due to the many failed promises of governor Ben Ayade. There is no functional project of this administration in Ogoja. He promised us the rice mill, and up till now, nothing is happening. There is virtually nothing happening there, they keep snapping pictures daily to deceive us.

    “See the purported dual carriage, the road is impassable from Ugaga to Okpoma. The Abouchiche – Imaje – Okuku, axis is a mirage.

    “Having failed us, Ayade has no moral justification to seek election to represent us in the senate. He imposed the governorship candidate and all candidates in the state on us.

    “Surprisingly, the PDP conducted the most freest primaries that led to the emergence of candidates at all levels in the state, which gives credence to it preparedness to alternative leadership in the state.

    “I see passion, commitment, genuineness and readiness in the candidates of the People’s Democratic Party PDP. I see passion in Sen Sandy Onor, he has a track record. Sen Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe’s projects are littered across the 54 wards that makes up northern senatorial district. It is only natural that every northern cross riverian of good conscience, should align with Sen Jarigbe Agom to give him the opportunity to continue to attract democratic dividends to our people.

    “I have here with me my supporters who are very determined to begin a house to house crusade to sensitize our people”

    Receiving Kalita Igbe Aruku into the party, the Cross River State Chairman, Mr Vena Ikem Esq, welcomed and thanked Mr Aruku for the bold step to join hands with people of good will to reclaim Cross River State.

    He assured that all rights and privileges will be accorded all defectors.

    Prominent among the dignitaries at the rally were, the governorship candidate and deputy, Sen Sandy Onor and Lady Emana Emawe Duke, former governor of the state, Mr Donald Duke, former Deputy Governor and Director-General of the campaign council, Mr Efiok Cobham, members of the PDP State Executive Committee, led by the Chairman, Mr Vena Ikem among others.

  • PDP Governorship Campaign: As The Journey To Reclaim Cross River State Begins BY UMEZULIKE DESMOND-CRUZ

    PDP Governorship Campaign: As The Journey To Reclaim Cross River State Begins BY UMEZULIKE DESMOND-CRUZ

    Beaming in his signature immaculate white apparel and his ever-alluring smile, is the Irrunando of Africa, conspicuously occupying the front pew of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Ikot Ansa. Flanked on the side are his pulchritudinous wife, Barr. Gertrude Onor, and his ever-alluring Deputy Governor-designate, Lady Emana Duke Ambrose-Amawhe–the presence of both women offered a dazzling illumination to the auditorium. The arrival of the Irrunando into the church premises held the parishioners spellbound and bestowed a selcouth ambience, as parishioners in a spontaneous and electrifying mood, whispered uncontrollably his name, “The Original Caterpillar”. It took the ecclesiastical anointing of the service moderator to control the exhilarated parishioners. Then came the solemn songs ringing in the ears of parishioners and thousands of political supporters that filled the auditorium, as the liturgical men and the Parish Priest opened the mass of Eucharistic celebration with the ceremonial burning of incense. Outside the auditorium was a sea of heads converging in their numbers with their countenances bearing different inscriptions of hope and faith in the candidacy of Senator Sandy Ojang Onor.

    “We are reclaiming our state” said Mrs Offiong Ikpeme, a retiree from the State civil service who according to her, was yet to receive neither her gratuity nor pension 5years after her unceremonious retirement from the State Civil Service. “This is our chance to bring back the lost glory of our state. It’s now or never. I believe in Senator Sandy Ojang Onor” she would later continue in her eulogy.

    Cross River State, everyone agrees, is sick, with its list of ailments enough to make one mad. Unemployment rate has risen from 23.1% in 2019 to 33.5% in the early quarters of 2020, then skyrocketed to 53.65% in 2021. Data from Debt Management Office indicates that the state has a strangulating debt profile of #176.086billion as at 2022. The State IGR has been personalized and its tourism potentials bastardized.

    As the priest began his message, taking his reading from the holy Gospel according to John 1:29-34, he spoke about the lamb of God who took away the sins of the World and further admonished parishioners to remain as light to the Nation despite the despairing situation they find themselves today.

    Speaking during the dedication of the campaign, Senator Sandy Ojang Onor reiterated his unflinching belief in the Trinity and Catholicism.
    “We are here because we believe in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit and we have no other God. What he gives us we take, what he chooses not to give to us, we thank him for. We urge you to continue to pray for us. For those of us who have been living in this state for the last 15years, you will agree with me that we are currently living in a dark place and our state needs total rejigging. We are confident that by God’s grace, we shall lead the charge for that revitalization”

    In a way of appreciation, the Parish Priest presented a Holy Bible to Senator Sandy Ojang Onor as a symbol of God’s presence and protection.
    “You are called the Caterpillar and the Caterpillar smashes. Go in God’s might” charged the Parish Priest as the Parishioners echoed a thunderous Amen!.

    …..As the Journey begins, Girdle your loins! We are making a worthy Governor!

  • Untitled post 14578

    *PDP Governorship Campaign: As The Journey To Reclaim Cross River State Begins*

    (Telling The Story)

    *By Umezulike Desmond-cruz*

    Beaming in his signature immaculate white apparel and his ever-alluring smile, is the Irrunando of Africa, conspicuously occupying the front pew of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Ikot Ansa. Flanked on the side are his pulchritudinous wife, Barr. Gertrude Onor, and his ever-alluring Deputy Governor-designate, Lady Emana Duke Ambrose-Amawhe–the presence of both women offered a dazzling illumination to the auditorium. The arrival of the Irrunando into the church premises held the parishioners spellbound and bestowed a selcouth ambience, as parishioners in a spontaneous and electrifying mood, whispered uncontrollably his name, “The Original Caterpillar”. It took the ecclesiastical anointing of the service moderator to control the exhilarated parishioners. Then came the solemn songs ringing in the ears of parishioners and thousands of political supporters that filled the auditorium, as the liturgical men and the Parish Priest opened the mass of Eucharistic celebration with the ceremonial burning of incense. Outside the auditorium was a sea of heads converging in their numbers with their countenances bearing different inscriptions of hope and faith in the candidacy of Senator Sandy Ojang Onor.

    “We are reclaiming our state” said Mrs Offiong Ikpeme, a retiree from the State civil service who according to her, was yet to receive neither her gratuity nor pension 5years after her unceremonious retirement from the State Civil Service. “This is our chance to bring back the lost glory of our state. It’s now or never. I believe in Senator Sandy Ojang Onor” she would later continue in her eulogy.

    Cross River State, everyone agrees, is sick, with its list of ailments enough to make one mad. Unemployment rate has risen from 23.1% in 2019 to 33.5% in the early quarters of 2020, then skyrocketed to 53.65% in 2021. Data from Debt Management Office indicates that the state has a strangulating debt profile of #176.086billion as at 2022. The State IGR has been personalized and its tourism potentials bastardized.

    As the priest began his message, taking his reading from the holy Gospel according to John 1:29-34, he spoke about the lamb of God who took away the sins of the World and further admonished parishioners to remain as light to the Nation despite the despairing situation they find themselves today.

    Speaking during the dedication of the campaign, Senator Sandy Ojang Onor reiterated his unflinching belief in the Trinity and Catholicism.
    “We are here because we believe in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit and we have no other God. What he gives us we take, what he chooses not to give to us, we thank him for. We urge you to continue to pray for us. For those of us who have been living in this state for the last 15years, you will agree with me that we are currently living in a dark place and our state needs total rejigging. We are confident that by God’s grace, we shall lead the charge for that revitalization”

    In a way of appreciation, the Parish Priest presented a Holy Bible to Senator Sandy Ojang Onor as a symbol of God’s presence and protection.
    “You are called the Caterpillar and the Caterpillar smashes. Go in God’s might” charged the Parish Priest as the Parishioners echoed a thunderous Amen!.

    …..As the Journey begins, Girdle your loins! We are making a worthy Governor!

  • Construction Commences On 1.2Km Otuche-Olachor, Okpoma Road Facilitated By Sen Jarigbe

    Construction Commences On 1.2Km Otuche-Olachor, Okpoma Road Facilitated By Sen Jarigbe

    Construction work has Commenced on the 1.2 Kilometre Otuche-Olachor road in Okpoma, Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State.

    The road project facilitated by Sen Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, Senator Representing Cross River North Senatorial District, is to serve as a linkage between communities within the area.

    Upon completion of the project, the strategic “Ikor Market” will also open up the area to economic activities and other development.

    Senator Jarigbe is committed to the social and economic well-being of his people, in his bid to transform Cross River North Senatorial District.

    TEAM JARI MEDIA.

  • You Must Be Interested In Who Is In Charge Of The Affairs In Your State – Sandy Onor To Business Community

    You Must Be Interested In Who Is In Charge Of The Affairs In Your State – Sandy Onor To Business Community

     

    The Governorship Candidate of the PDP and Senator representing Cross River Central Senatorial District, Senator Prof. Sandy Ojang Onor has charged business community in Cross River State to be interested in who is in charge in the affairs in the state.

    He gave the charge on January 13th, 2023 at the Calabar Business & Community Initiative Town Hall Meeting with the Governorship & Deputy-Governorship Candidates of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Prof. Sandy Ojang Onor & Lady Emana-Duke Ambrose Amawhe and owners of business in Cross River State held at Nkonib Town Hall in Calabar, Cross River State.

    Senator Onor while reacting to the issues raised by various associations, thanked the organizers for their thoughtfulness and averred that, “One of our greatest problem as a state is lack of courage. There’s too much complacency. People in other climes say it as it is; they are courageous. A lot of us just sit, murmur, and complain in the dark. If you do that how can you change society?.

    “You ‘re businessmen. You know where it pinches you. You know that things are not right. You know that the business climate is gone. You know that the processes have been bastardized. You know that you’re holding the rough end of the stick. You know that when government is not functioning properly your businesses would not run well. So you must be interested in who is in charge of the affairs in your state.”

    Earlier in his opening remarks, the Coordinator, Calabar Business Community, Ntufam Dr Francis O. Effiom described the event as an interactive forum between members of the business community and the leading candidates where input can be made, “We thought it necessary at this point that beyond the rallies by political parties, we the businessmen should be able to have an interface and interact with the candidates so that our input will matter in the policy direction of the incoming administration. That is what informed the Town Hall Meeting” he said.

    Speaking on behalf of the Calabar Chamber of Commerce, Mr Ken Asim decried the unfavorable business environment in the state, inspite of the fact that the MSMEs employs over 86 percent of the labour force. He said: “Our business environment has continued to nosedive between 2014 and 2021. There have been backward slide in the business environment.”
    He further lamented access to finance, markets & knowledge, multiple taxation, infrastructural decay and government policies as impediments to businesses in the state.

    Also speaking on behalf of the Association of Non-Bank Micro-Finance Association, Pst Theodore Ebuta, lauded the event as first of it kind to have a governorship candidate interface with the business sector. He further lamented the lack of access to finances as he said: “Government over time have rolled out intervention funds for those in this sector and several times you have politicians used this funds for their cronies, their loyalists, their political sons and daughters and at the end of it, those in this sector which the fund was meant for end up benefitting nothing.”

    On his part and speaking on behalf of the Timber Dealers Association, Chief Effiong Ewa Ebani, accused the Cross River State Forestry Commission of negligence when he said: “Today, for those of us who come from villages, we heard that timber is banned, yet our Forests are been destroyed. The Forestry Commission has failed to live up to its responsibilities.” He further pleaded with the incoming Governor to come to the aid of landlord communities and rescue the forest from extinction.

    Responding, the Deputy-Governorship Candidate, Lady Emana-Duke Ambrose Amawhe decried the lack of political will by the incumbent government to implement her own policies as reasons for the dwindling small scale businesses in the state. She assured the community of favourable business environment. “The Senator Sandy Onor’s administration which I would be deputizing by God’s grace is willing and has the political will to implement policies that would be favourable to the business community in the state.” She said.

    The event was well attended by Estate developers, timber dealers, Keke owners & riders, taxi owners & drivers, bus & mini bus owners & drivers, shipping & clearing agents, auto mechanics, furniture & wood workers, fashion designers, makeup artists, carpenters, spare parts & metal scraps dealers, car wash shop owners & workers, geologist & miners, graphic designers & printers, MSME Businesses and Association of Non-Bank Micro-Finance Institutions (ANMFIN), etc.

    CATERPILLAR MOVEMENT MEDIA

  • C’River PDP To commence Gubernatorial Campaign With A Thanksgiving Mass At St Patrick’s Parish Ikot Ansa

    C’River PDP To commence Gubernatorial Campaign With A Thanksgiving Mass At St Patrick’s Parish Ikot Ansa

    The Cross State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party  PDP, is set to commence its Gubernatorial Campaign with a Thanksgiving Mass to be held at St. Patrick’s Parish Ikot Ansa, Calabar.

    In release made available to TheLumineNews and signed by the Director, Directorate of Media & Communications, Mr Ken Egbas indicates that the mass is slated for 10:00am on Sunday 15th January, 2023.

    The release further requested all supporters, party men and well wishers of the People’s Democratic Party to be join the thanksgiving mass as the party commits her activities to God.

     

  • Ukelle Nation Declares Support For PDP Candidates As Sen Jarigbe Agom Includes Its Road In The 2022 Supplementary Budget

    Ukelle Nation Declares Support For PDP Candidates As Sen Jarigbe Agom Includes Its Road In The 2022 Supplementary Budget

    The ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Cross River Northern Campaign train stormed Ukelle nation with the message of hope to build on the already established projects of Sen Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe spread across the five local government areas comprising of 54 wards.

    During the tour, the Six(6) wards of Ukelle, Yala LGA of Cross River State, endorsed the candidacy of Prof Sandy Onor, Sen Jarigbe Agom, Barr Godwin Offiono and Dr Martins Achadu for the 2023 general elections.

    The Candidates, party leaders and stakeholders, visited Wanihem, Wanikade, Wanokom, Igede, Mfuma Ntrigom and Ijiraga wards as the Party continued its Ward-to-Ward Tour in Cross River North Senatorial District today.

    Sen. Jarigbe, while addressing supporters amidst cheers, restated his commitment towards the construction of the Ukelle road, beginning with the inclusion of the road in the 2022 Supplementary Budget worth N10.7 Billion.

    On their parts, Barr Godwin Offiono, the Party’s candidate for Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency and Dr Martins Achadu, House of Assembly Candidate, took turns to share their visions with the people, assuring them of quality representation at the state and federal levels respectively.

    The Party Chairman in the State, Barr Vena Ikem, Chief Austin Edibe, Chief Peter Akpanke, Barr Paul Ebiala, Hon Mike Usibe, Comr Brown Odey, Hon Mom Olom, other party leaders in the Senatorial District were in attendance.

    CRN CAMPAIGN MEDIA

     

     

  • Citizens With Unique Abilities In Politics Vows To Mobilize Support For Sen Sandy Onor

    Citizens With Unique Abilities In Politics Vows To Mobilize Support For Sen Sandy Onor

     

    The leadership of Citizens with Unique abilities in politics in Cross River State has vowed to mobilize support for Sen. Sandy Onor in the forth coming gubernatorial election.

    The group made the disclosure when she paid a courtesy call at the Campaign office of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The group decried abandonment by the present administration as they reminisced on the good days of PDP administration in the State when the group was part of decision making processes to the extent they got elective offices.

    The leadership of the group pledged to mobilize their members across the state to ensure Sen Sandy Ojang Onor becomes Governor of Cross River State in order to bring back the glory days.

    The group was received by the Director General of the Cross River State PDP Campaign Council, and former Deputy Governor, Barr Effiok Cobham who assured the group that whatever confidence they have in the PDP and Senator Onor is not misplaced.

    Cobham averred that “the challenges facing Cross River State today are not those of geography, but are rather cross cutting problems that are not confined to a particular geography such as hunger, unemployment, lack of productivity, poor access to basic infrastructure, poor access to quality education and the absence of leadership as well as lack of focus by the government of the day that has translated to severe poverty on the populace.

    “In the end, what will matter is not where the governor comes from. But rather, it will be wether the challenges currently bedeviling the State have been tackled head on and solutions provided, because the man from Cross River South is not buying a bag of rice at a different price from what the man from Cross River Central or North buys”

    He thanked them for believing in project “Reclaim Cross River State” and on behalf of Senator Onor promised not to disappoint them when elected Governor.

     

  • Sandy Onor Meets Business Owners In Calabar, Assures That He Will Change The Story Of The State

    Sandy Onor Meets Business Owners In Calabar, Assures That He Will Change The Story Of The State

     

    By Dominic Kidzu

    The Nkonip Hall in Ikot Ansa was already filled to the outer fringes even before Senator Onor and his Deputy Governor designate swept into the arena, and a conspiratorial whispering campaign was afoot in the Hall with enthusiastic participants validating the certainty of a Sandy Onor governorship. Cecil Ita, Willy Okokon, Bassey Ekefre, Ubong Harry, Ntufam Okon Ekpo and a host of others were on hand to set things aright.

    Then the Irunando blew in like a tempest, in all his substantial physical quantity and intellectual clout, upsetting all previously held stock opinions and trenchant battlements. The way he held himself, the measured cadences of his speech, the poignancy of his delivery and the natural simplicity, without affectation, without pomp or circumstance, crowned him Governor-in-waiting. There was no bombast, no grammatical turgidity, no make-belief. Just a countryman’s conversation with his people for whom his passion soars. By his side was Emmana Duke Armawhe, the running mate, beautiful like an artwork, polite and refined as only an Efik lady can be and intelligent to boot.

    As Ntufam Dr. Francis O. Effiom told the audience, the occasion was intended for the business community to exchange ideas with the man who wanted to lead, since political power was only second to the power of God. The manufacturing Association of Nigeria, Calabar Chamber of Commerce, the artisans, tailors, mechanics, market women, keke owners and riders, taxi drivers, tipper association, and other traders were all represented in the meeting. “The present government has used too much of grammar to confuse us, please let this not be another round of grammar. ”

    Ken Asim Ita who represented the Calabar Chamber of Commerce, said that MSMEs employed about 86 percent of all workers in Cross River State. According to him, the business environment has not been favourable in terms of access to finance, access to markets, strangulating multiple taxation and poor government policies. While the representative of non bank micro finance association, Pastor Theodore Ebuta pointed out that this was the first time a governorship candidate was interacting with the business community in this way. The president of Timber Dealers Association, and clanhead of Uyangha, Chief Effiong Ewa Ebani, accused the forestry Commission of failing in it’s duty to control the wood business by allowing all kinds of people to invade the forest.

    Responding, Mrs Emmana Amarwe pointed out that lack of the will to follow through with its own policies by the state government was the reason why private businesses were suffering. “Our access to the ocean, our mineral endowments and tourism potential are our sure bet for prosperity if well harnessed. We are prepared to do things differently. We will listen to you and we will do your wish”.

    When Senator Sandy began to speak the audience erupted in excitement and chants of PDP filled the air. ” I like politics of truth. Hit the nail on the head. Our greatest problem as a state is lack of courage. We moan, we complain, we murmur, but we don’t say it as it is. When I was in government with Imoke, the bureau for investment was strong, the office for due process was about the best in the country, but today our tax system has been bastardized, our internally generated revenue has been personalized. I’m a professor, but there are professors and there are professors. I know what proper governance means to rural people and small scale businesses “.

    ” What is going on in this APC government is that there is a gap between the government and the people. You cannot sit in Calabar and continue to pontificate on what the people need. It is the people who tell government what they need. The people may not need the super highway, they may not need an airport, what they need are small projects.You can harvest the forest in a sustainable manner, not to destroy everything just to make profit. There is a forest in the middle of Rio de Janeiro. Tourists come from all over the world to see it. We won’t stop your trade but we will transform it into a more sustainable way. In this governance of falsehood they don’t mean what they say and they don’t say what they mean. Their candidate will not be different. If they knew he will be different they wouldn’t have given him the ticket anyway. ”

    ” You must refuse to be intimidated. The police are paid to protect you, not to intimidate you. Cultists are not spirits, stand up to them. We will win the elections and we will change the story of Cross River State because God is always on the side of truth. God is on our side.”