Support Groups Validate PDP Governorship Candidate In Cross River State
By Eme Offiong, Calabar
As the governorship and House of Assembly elections draw near, the political scene in Cross River State, southern Nigeria, has continued to witness gales of endorsements for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate, Professor Sandy Ojang Onor.
The latest of such endorsement for Senator Onor is by a fusion of 12 different support groups under the aegis ‘the Coalition for Peter Obi’, CPO, popularly referred to as the ‘Obidient’ Movement in Cross River State.
In a communique read by the leader of the coalition and State Director of the Peter Obi Movement, Dr. Matthew Ebim, the group indicated, “the Coalition for Peter Obi has endorsed and collectively agreed to support the candidature of Senator Sandy Ojang Onor, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the March 17th gubernatorial elections.”
According to Ebim, “the decision to endorse and support Senator Sandy Onor was taken after careful examination of the major contestants in the gubernatorial election and a critical perusal of their manifesto.
“The CPO decided that their anchorage with the candidature of the PDP and Senator Onor is the only viable option in the interest of Cross River people in particular and the entire State in general,” Ebim indicated.
The coalition further stated that the PDP candidate was better positioned through the experiences garnered overtime to provide better leadership in Cross River.
He noted that Onor’s achievements and outstanding qualities were reflected in previous and current political offices, which has endeared thousands of people to him.
“Sandy Onor’s sterling qualities and achievements in all positions he has held ranging from the time he was elected as the chairman of Etung Local Government Area through his tenures as a two term commissioner and a sitting senator representing the good people of Cross River central senatorial district has proven that he is a man of his word and capable of offering the state better leadership,” Ebim stated.
The coalition called on all members of Obidient Movement across the 18 local government areas to cast their votes for Senator Sandy Onor.
The coalition comprises of support groups such as Peter Obi to the Rescue led by Dr. Paul Njama; the Obi-Datti Youth Support Alliance coordinated by Sir Obi Bankaong Obi and the CPO lead Coordinator, Mr. Daniel Ofem and Mr. Callistus Ubleble of Graduate /Postgraduate Home and Diaspora as well as the South-South Regional Coordinator LMPO, Mr. Kinie Willie.
Others were ‘Like Minds for Peter Obi LMPO, led by Princemark Ettan, Peter Obi 2023 Support Movement, Mr. Emmanuel Umoh, the coordinator, Peter Obi Youth Vanguard, led by Mr. Fred Obi and Women for Pete Obi with Mrs. Myra Benson as the leader and the leader of Formula 196 Movement 4 OBIDATTI, Mr. Mkposong Erete and Peter Obi Vanguard Ambassadors, Coordinated by Peter Orok-Effiong Okon.
Confidence Okwuchi