By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
Impressed by what they described as “one good turn deserves another,” political stakeholders of Yala nation in Cross River North senatorial district yesterday lauded Governor Ben Ayade for the emergence of Alphonsus Ogar as the chairman of the Cross River State All Progressives Congress, APC.
The APC stakeholders in Yala Local Government Area passed a vote of confidence in the state governor, Sir Ayade, for initiating the industrialization drive in state.
The stakeholders stated that Ayade’s industrialization drive, which cut across various communities in the senatorial district and the two other senatorial districts is good for the state.
The stakeholders averred that if the policy is sustained by Ayade’s successor, the fortunes of the state would be turned around, calling on all to put their weight behind Governor Ayade to enable him finish very strongly.
The Yala people also lauded the state governor for providing an opportunity for one of their illustrious son, Barr. Alphonsus Eba to emerge as the state chairman of the APC.
A communique from APC stakeholders in Yala, who held a meeting on Friday at the residence of High Chief Higgins Peters, in Okpoma, Yala Local Government headquarters in Cross River State, stated that with the industrialization drive embarked upon by the Ayade-led administration, if sustained by incoming administration, unemployment would become a thing of the past.
The communique, signed by High Chief Peters, a former senator, who once represented the good people of Yala nation and several other prominent sons and daughters of Yala, drawn from 14 political wards, passed a vote of confidence on the Governor Ayade administration.
The communique stated, “That the entire people of Yala welcome the APC state chairman-elect, Alphonsus Ogar Eba Esq, home after his election and also welcome Senator Dr Stephen Odey, home after his ease from the Senate and decide to leave all that transpired over the senatorial seat in the hands of God.
“That the entire people of Yala specially appreciates His Excellency, Senator Prof Ben Ayade, for finding a Yala son worthy as the state chairman of the APC and thank him for all the ongoing projects in Yala, including the Okuku-Okpoma-Mfom dual carriageway project, and make a formal appeal that the Ukelle Road, Okuku-Imaje- Echumofana-Akurinyi-Abuochiche single lane, Okuku-Echumoga-Aliforkpa Yache road should be considered for rehabilitation by the governor.
“That the entire Yala people declare their total commitment to the APC and have resolved to work for the victory of the party in all coming elections.
“That the entire Yala Local Government Area will stand by the governor in the choice of who fly the ticket of the party in the by-election for the Ogoja/Yala federal constituency.
“Yala APC family resolved to work with the governor towards the process of producing his successor in 2023.
“That the entire Yala Local Government Area has also committed themselves to embark on massive registration exercise of new members into the party, with the window of the one month extension and the ongoing voter registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
“And that the political ward leaders across the 14 wards of Yala have resolved to collaborate with all political appointees and major stakeholders to mobilise resources and fund the party registration, INEC voter registration exercises and the new polling units structure that will be put in place.”
Among those who signed the communique were: the APC state chairman, Barr. Ogar, Senator Stephen Odey, High Chief Peters, Hon Dr Fabian Ogbeche, Mr Solomon Ogar, Rt Hon Regina Anyogo, Hon Cynthia Nkasi, Hon Dr Stella Odey-Ekpo, Hon John Ulafor, Mr Ben Lukpata, Barr Fidel Egoro, Hon Felicia Undielikwu, Dr Julius Uchim Okputu, Rt Hon Ugana Lukpata, Hon Chris Eriba, Barr Leonard Anyogo, Hon John Ogabor, Chief Ogadachichi Osy Bravo, Mrs Philomina Ihieje, Amb Emmanuel Asegem, and Hon, Boniface Okache.
Others include: Hon David Idiku, Mr Francis Peters, Mr Wonor Austin Ibu, Hon Christian Ikiri, Mr Goddy Odama, Rev Festus Ojebe, Hon Patrick Egana, Mr Mark Laffin, APC local council exco members and ward chairmen.
