by 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.
