By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
Ahead of the forthcoming general election, which begins on February 25,2023, a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, who also doubles as the Director General, DG,Yala Local Government APC Campaign Organisation, High Chief Henry Onwe, at the weekend led candidates and prominent political figures of the party in Yala across the political wards on a campaign tour of Ukelle, to canvass for votes for the party.
The campaign train, which had its membership to include: Yala Local Government chairman, Mr. Fabian Ogbeche, who stood in for Governor Ben Ayade, the APC senatorial candidate for North senatorial district candidate, who is currently representing Ogoja/Yala federal constituency, Mr. Jude Ngaji, the House of Representatives candidate, Hon John Ulafor, representing the APC governorship candidate, Senator Prince Bassey Otu, Hon Tom Agi, who represented the APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Hon Cynthia Nkasi, the House of Assembly member for Yala state constituency 2 were greeted by a mammoth crowd in all the stops and wards headquartres of North Ukelle.
Addressing a crowd of party supporters, Chief Onwe stated that the state governor, Ayade who is jostling for the senatorial ticket for Cross River North is one man who had been in love with the people of Ukelle, stressing that he had done much more than any governor for the people of the area, calling for massive support for Ayade so that he can peacefully go to the Senate.
He said, “Leave politics aside, the North Ukelle road is a federal road and His Excellency, Senator Professor Ben Ayade has undertaken to construct the entire 23-kilometre road.”
He said that work is progressing at a rapid speed and very soon the era of getting stuck in the mud or being covered in dust while going on Ukelle road will be a thing of the past, courtesy of Governor Ayade.
The council boss stated that apart from the Ukelle road and 30 boreholes being constructed by the governor, the governor’s human capital development is unrivalled with hundreds of Ukelle sons and daughters receiving salary alerts on monthly basis.
He said that Ayade deserve massive support from the Ukelle people and stressed on the need for the Ukelle people never to play opposition politics as it’s inimical to the growth and development of the area.
While showering encomiums on the APC denatorial candidate, the council chairman maintained that Prof. Ayade has changed the narrative of governance in the state as seen in the industries, infrastructure and projects he has undertaken during his administration.
He stressed that “s man of timber and calibre like Ayade with full capacity to turnaround the fortunes of the state needs nothing but encouragement so that he can do more if allowed to go to Senate.
He added, “With the political configuration and strategy going on in Abuja, our Digital Governor would be the number three man come next Senate regime and the benefits that would accrue to Cross River, particularly Northern Cross River cannot be quantified.”
In his remarks, the member representing Ogoja/Yala federal constituency, Ngaji stated that it is expedient that those with capacity should be given the opportunity to serve and called on the people of Ukelle to vote enmasse for candidates of the APC.
He added, “We are imploring everyone here today to take a look at the personalities brought forward by our party and carry the message home that what is good is good and what is good for the people of Yala, Ukelle, Ogoja and indeed the entire state now is the APC.”
Hon Ulafor, who stood in for Senator Prince Otu remarked that Otu is popular, outstanding and has a good heart and his choice as the gubernatorial candidate of the party was wise and taken in the interest of the state and it’s people.
Hon Agi who represented the presidential candidate of the party, Asiwaju Tinubu, stated that Tinubu symbolises hardwork, diligence and pan-Nigeria outlook and the people of Ukelle should key in at this time to get a proper recognition when the time comes
Hon Cynthia Nkasi, the House of Assembly member for Yala state Constituency 2 declared that she has a pact with the people to continue to give them quality representation and called for massive votes for the APC in all elections.
She said, “Beginning on the 25 of February, we shall demonstrate that Ukelle is one and we shall do this by voting enmasse for our Digital Governor, Senator Professor Ben Ayade to return to the Senate and continue his good work, we shall vote for Jude Ngaji to return to the House of Representatives, and Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Alhaji Shetima as president and vice president respectfully and my humble self to continue in the Assembly. Have we agreed?”.
A thunderous “Yeeesssss” greeted her question.
Dr Hippolatus Lukpata, the state Commissioner for Water Resources in his speech called on the people of Ukelle to stand with the APC because it is the winning party.
Lukpata said, “We cannot make the mistake of going anywhere or any other party outside APC because it is the winning party and our fate should be tied to where victory is in the election.”
