The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has flagged off its governorship campaigns in Cross River State, south-south Nigeria.
The campaign train departed Calabar, the capital of Cross River State after a thanksgiving Mass held at the Saint Patrick’s Church, Ikot Ansa to commence the state-wide consultations and rallies, for Obanliku local government area in the northern district.
The PDP governorship candidate, Senator Sandy Onor said that the party was committed to sensitising the electorate.
Onor, who represent the central senatorial district at Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber, said that the campaign organisation chose to kick off the exercise with a special thanksgiving Mass to entrust the entire programme to the almighty.
He said, “in recognition that power comes from God, the team decided to start the journey of reclaiming our state with a view of restoring our lost glory was meant to replicate the steps taken by Nehemiah when he opted to rebuild the fallen walls of Jerusalem.”
Vote Buying
The PDP gubernatorial candidate said that the campaign was highlighting policies and programmes, which resonates with the people across the 18 local government areas rather than resort to deception.
Onor described the plethora of recent appointments made by Governor Ben Ayade as fluke, which the PDP was raising voter awareness to counter, saying that the “rush hour appointments was a gimmick for vote buying ahead of the general elections.
“The people know that these dying minute appointments are a gimmick. They are giving appointments four months to their exit while a lot of those, who got the so called appointments, have not been paid salaries,” stated Onor.
He also said, “every facet of our state ranging from sports, tourism, security, agriculture, health, the civil service, local government councils and basic amenities are in chaotic states.”
According to him, the strategies adopted by the All Progressives Congress to gain the trust of the voters would be counterproductive since the PDP was “united and fired up by the fact that Cross River state was in a dark place and we are going to take it out for ourselves and the entire people of Cross River State.”
Critical For Victory
On the reason for kicking off the campaign in the northern senatorial district, Onor stated that the district was critical to the campaign as a contradiction since the incumbent governor hails from the area.
“We are here to let the people know that they should keep hope alive as a new leadership is coming and we will deliver all that ought to have been done, while we are also thanking them for their support in advance because we know they will vote for PDP.
“The north is indeed our stronghold and I need the people to know that we are reclaiming the state. The PDP is poised to regenerate, revitalize, re-energize Cross River. We will completely sanitize the processes and totally depart from the rot,” Onor stressed.
Speaking further he said, “we are going to reposition our state for real growth and development. I am seeking the mandate to become the next governor of our state because the situation we have found ourselves demands a man driven by human passion, vision, proven intellectual acumen, competence and experience.”
The campaign train would spend three days traversing the five local government areas in the northern district of Cross River before moving to the central senatorial district.
Confidence Okwuchi
