Some PDP stakeholders of Ukelle extraction in Yala Local Government Area, were lobbied by Governor Ben Ayade as part 9f his strategy to win the 2923 election to represent Cross Northern Senatorial District.
Against their expectations, the Stakeholders Uchiche, Hon Francis Lukpata Igbologidi, Helen Laffin And Hon Clement Obok rejected the appointment and insisted on Sen Jarigbe’s Reelection.
Sociopolitical and cultural groups of Igbo, Hausa and other no indigenous communities in Obudu Local Government Area, have endorsed Chief Peter Akpanke for House of Representatives for Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku Federal Constituency.
The groups who are all domiciled in Obudu Local Government Area and shares over 5,000 votes apiece, said Akpanke has been a good man to them from time immemorial and so they will not wait for him to informed them of his ambition formally but have decided to support him unanimously due to his numerous interventions and results oriented leadership.
The Chairman of the Igbo community, Mr James Chukwu in his address said, the endorsement is in appreciation of the philanthropist’s contributions and empowerments of sons and daughters of OBO Federal Constituency, which also cut across to their different trades.
In the same vein, the Imam of Obudu, Malam Yusuf said, Chief Akpanke has always identified with them and as such, deserves their support going into the 2023 election.
Also, members of the Cameroon community said they have indicated interest in his project because he is the first and only politician that has recognized them.
Commenting on the development, the philanthropist said, the endorsement to him, is a mark of general acceptance of his ideologies and goodwill, his efforts to empathize with humanity and to strengthen the culture of peace and harmony for which he has always been known for.
He said the support came with an assurance of more commitment and dedication to the course of liberating the Federal Constituency from its failed and unfortunate leadership in order to consolidate on the gains they stand to benefit under the leadership of Senator Jarigbe Agom and Senator Senator Prof. Sandy Ojang Onor
The Obanliku Cyclist Union, today endorsed, Chief Peter Akpanke for House of Representatives for Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku Federal Constituency.
The union in a visit to Akpanke this morning said, “the move is in recognition of your achievements in education, your drive and empathy for the less privileged and orphans in the society”.
The chairman of the union, Mr Victor Ushanung who spoke on their behalf, insisted that Chief Akpanke deserves to be in the House of Representatives come 2023 to enable him consolidate on the gains already recorded in critical sectors of the LGA through Senator Jarigbe Agom.
The group also noted that Chief Akpanke has made moves to ensure that Obanliku sons and daughters goes to school, he has graded roads, built and contributed to the renovations of churches among others.
They pledged support to the philanthropist for better service delivery such as good health facilities, provision of portable water, good road network and many others.
Another Landmark Victory for CRS, PDP and Women of Nigeria.
30 years ago Lady Cecilia Ekpenyong was Deputy Governor to Mr Clement Ebri. It has taken this long for another woman to emerge as Deputy Governor in CRS. I am delighted to witness this moment of history and believe that our party, the PDP stands to gain in many ways from this development.
I wish to congratulate Distinguished Senator Sandy Onor for his choice of Emana Ambrose-Amawhe and believe that the twin will lead the PDP in CRS to success. The PDP must be extolled for having shown uncommon gender sensitivity in Akwa Ibom, Plateau, Rivers and Adamawa States where outstanding women emerged as running mates.
Congratulations to you Emana, and best wishes in the months ahead.
Ambassador Nkoyo Toyo
Governorship Aspirant (2022)
4/07/2022
DO THE GODS WANT TO DESTROY CROSS RIVER APC?:
By Okoi Obono-obla
The cross-river state leadership of the APC is in shambles.
The leadership is grossly biased and discriminatory against members of the legacy parties in the APC in the State (defunct CPC, ACN, and ANPP that amalgamated in 2013 to form APC).
The agenda of the leadership is to perpetuate the interest and hegemony of defectors from the PDP that joined the APC in 2021.
This trend manifested clearly in the manner the leadership manipulated primaries for the nomination of candidates to fly the party flag in the next general election.
During the compilation of the names of delegates, the leadership ensure that only those that joined the party in 2021 were selected.
The selection of delegates constitutes an abuse of the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022; which stipulates that delegates shall be democratically elected.
The leadership continued to tinker with the list of delegates to the extent that aspirants (other than the ones from the 2021 defectors) knew the electors even right to the day of the primaries.
The APC in Cross River is presently rudderless and purposeless.
How does the leadership except for the unity of purpose, direction, discipline, and cohesion that a political party going into an election is required to have even show manifest bias against a tendency within its rank and file?
I see a heavy defeat staring at the party in the next general election unless something drastic is done to heal the wounds inflicted on party stakeholders, leaders, and members alike.
POST PRIMARY ELECTION PRESS CONFERENCE BY SENATOR SANDY OJANG ONOR, GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE OF THE PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY(PDP) ON SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 2022, AT THE NUJ PRESS CENTRE, CALABAR
Gentlemen of the Press
Some six months ago, I made an appearance in this auditorium, where I shared my thoughts with you on my plans and programmes for the new Cross River State of my dream. At that time, I was doing my consultations with party men and women and indeed all Cross Riverians. Considering how important you are to me and to the Cross River project, I also consulted and informed you of my desire to contest for the seat of governor of this state, for the good of all the people. I was just an aspirant then and I sought everybody’s support, including yours, to enable me win our party’s ticket as precursor to winning the general election.
I have returned today to say thank you, my friends and partners in the media, for the role you played individually and collectively. Recall that during my last interaction with you, I had promised that I will be having this interface with you from time to time. I am a man of my words, hence this second coming. I will keep coming and will ensure a blossoming relationship with the media because I cannot fulfil my dreams for this state without you.
I have also come so that I can, for the umpteenth time, thank all members of the PDP for trusting in and supporting me to emerge the flagbearer of the Party, ahead of the general election which comes up next year.
Almost immediately after the primary election, I had acknowledged the mentorship of our leaders and their efforts towards the successful and peaceful conduct of the election. I will do it again today, in your presence. I cannot get tired of thanking our former governors – Mr Donald Duke and Senator Liyel Imoke for their fatherly roles in midwifing the processes that led to the historic primary election. And again, for generously displaying the spirit of sportsmanship, I must continue to hail all the contenders in that election, especially the major players – Senator Gershom Bassey and Rt. Hon. Daniel Asuquo. They will always be remembered on the right side of history.
A few days ago, I received my certificate of return as the gubernatorial candidate from the leadership of our party, the PDP. It was a very humbling experience for me, knowing what it means for our state at this critical time in our political life. I have chosen to dedicate the certificate to God, all PDP leaders in and outside our state and all members of our party from the three senatorial districts of this state.
With the certificate of return now safely with us, preparations for the general election have got to the next level. I am aware that the people of Cross River State are very anxious to see the birth of the new Cross River State that we promised. All I can say is that we are very close to our Eldorado. Darkness will soon give way to light and our people will smile again.
I will need the support of all citizens and residents for us to achieve this. It starts from the determination of our people to register as voters and making sure their PVC is with them. As a Cross Riverian therefore, I am begging you, go and get your PVC. That is the only weapon that you have. When you get it, please keep it safely. You will need it on election day, not as a bargaining power for N1000 naira or some cups of rice from those desperate power seekers, but for you to be able to reclaim this state from people who have no value for your life; the same people who are now making moves to borrow another N35 billion, with only a few months left to the end of their administration.
As at March this year, the debt profile of this state stood at $279 million, according to the Debt Management Office. Yet, the out-going government is thinking of conniving with the state House of assembly to borrow this whooping sum, just to put the final nail on the coffin, before they leave the stage. There cannot be another way to show how wicked and inconsiderate a government can be towards her people. We must not allow this to happen, because the incoming government will be inheriting a mountain of debts to grapple with.
In any case, in the eyes of the law, there is no House of Assembly in Cross River State and anything that carries the imprimatur of this Assembly is null] and void ab initio. This should therefore serve aS warning to all financial institutions in and outside Nigeria, not to grant any loan,in whatever form, to the current government of Cross River State, as they will be doing so at a very high risk. Until the courts pronounce otherwise, the House of Assembly as currently constituted, cannot enact legally binding resolutions and laws.
This takes me to the issue of the laughable plans by the government of Prof. Ben Ayade to conduct local government elections in this state, only a few days to the day he will hand over power as governor. This cannot also stand because in law, you cannot build something on nothing. In the eyes of the law, the state House of Assembly is in abeyance and therefore cannot confirm the governor’s appointees into the Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission. So, members of the commission as announced by the governor and supposedly confirmed are a product of illegality; hence they lack the legal powers to handle that all important state assignment.
We are committed to the task of reclaiming this state and we will do so through every legal means.
Until we meet again as partners in progress, I implore you, gentlemen of the press, not to be silent over the evil plots of this present government against our state and its people. I urge you to stand up to be counted as worthy stakeholders as we work hard towards recovering all that the locust had taken away from our state.
I thank you for your kind attention.
Senator Sandy Ojang Onor,
Governorship Candidate
PDP
June 11, 2022.
The senator representing Cross River Central Senatorial District, Sen Sandy Onor hasb issued certicate of Return by the National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party PDP, as the gubernatorialf bearer for the 2023 polls in Cross River State.
By Admin
Mr Cyril Omini has won the Yakurr 1 Primaries Election under the All Progressive Party APC, having scored a total of 17 votes to beat his closest rival, Ubi Ekapong (Ubi Franklin) who scored a total of 12 votes, Ubi Ubi Itam scored 11 votes and Prince Eteng who scored zero vote at the contest.
Declaring the result, Prof Friday Ovat announced Cyril Omini winner of the Primaries Election having scored the highest votes cast during the election.
The Primaries Election was held at Yakurr Local Government Area Guest House, Ugep.
A frontline senatorial aspirant of the All Progressive Congress APC, and founding member who served as Secretary of the merger committee of the party, Chief Okoi Obono Obla Esq, has stated that the APC in Cross River State is fractured beyond redemption due to the imposition of candidates during the selection process.
Chief Obla reacted to the just concluded APC primaries election held at Ikom Local Government Area, the central senatorial headquarters, on his Facebook page.
The statement in full “The APC Senatorial Congress for the nomination of the candidate of the Central senatorial district of Cross River State held in Ikom on 28 May 2022, was a charade.
T”election was marred by voting buying perpetuated by desperate aspirants in front of security agents.
A” except the anointed one) did not know who would be the electors at the election until they got to the polling station.
It was not surprising that altered and doctored delegate lists by the powers that be to support the “anointed aspirant“.
Some of us know before voting that the election would be a sham.
“Every politically informed person was aware that a particular aspirant was the favorite of the powers that be. The brandishing of the name of one particular as the favored one weeks before the election amounts to intimidation.
“The potentate makes sure that you must have his endorsement before you can aspire to become a candidate.
“Aspirants that did not have the endorsement of the potentate, had sorts of obstacles thrown along their paths.
I”was the target from day one.
The powers that be were at a crossroads on what to do with me and therefore devised crude and inferior methods to edge me out.
The APC has completed deviated from the philosophy of its founding fathers.
“Let us see how the anointed aspirants will deliver the Party in the Cross River State. As it stands the Party, is fractured beyond redemption”.
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