Otu emerges C’River APC consensus governorship candidate, as Ojonde remain upbeat on winning Boki 1 State Constituency
[From ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar]
Former senator representing Cross River South in the National Assembly, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu has emerged the gubernatorial flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress in Cross River State.
He emerged following a consensus arrangement that saw seventeen other aspirants voluntarily step down for him after a meeting in Abuja.
The meeting was presided over by the State Governor and leader of our great Party, H.E Prof. Ben Ayade, had in attendance the State Chairman, Barr. Alphonsus Ogar Eba, other Exco members and the 17 Gubernatorial aspirants under the platform of the APC.
The party in a release in Calabar by its publicity Secretary, Erasmus Ekpang expressed it’s sincere appreciation to the leader of our Party, our Chairman, all the Governorship aspirants, critical Stakeholders and members of the Party for arriving at this historic milestone and looks forward to a robust Primaries.
As at press time, the seventeen other aspirants have not signified their acceptance or rejection of the arrangement.
The state chairman of the party, Alphonsus Ogar Eba had earlier said the party will not impose a candidate on the people.
He added that candidates who do not agree to key into the consensus arrangement are free to purchase the forms and prepare for the primaries of the party.
Meanwhile, Hon. Chris Ojonde, a former Vice Chairman of Boki Local government area says he knows the problem of the area.
He made this known in Calabar after officially declaring his interest to contest for the Boki 1 State Constituency seat to the State leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Hon. Ojonde said he has traversed the nooks and crannies of the area and is aware of the challenges his people grapple with.
In his words, “I know the problems of my people having traversed the nooks and crannies of the area and I am aware of what they need.
“I represent hope for the area and having succeeded as vice chairman through my performance which speaks for itself, I believe I will also succeed.
“I hope to deploy my experiences in the Boki executive to bear, lobby the executive and attract notable dividends of democracy to the people of Boki 1 constituency” Hon Ojonde said.
He said his people have been deprived of a voice in the state legislature for so long and it’s time to give them a voice.
Also speaking, the DG of the Chris Ojonde Campaign Organisation High Chief Ben Owan said the aspirant is a sellable material who has been tested and trusted.
On his part, the State Chairman of the party Alphonsus Ogar Eba commended the aspirant for coming to serve in the state assembly after a successful tenure at the local government.
He added that they have surrendered their power to the electorate because they are the people who will vote for the aspirants and promised a level playing field.
