Stalwarts of the All Progressives Congress, APC, have congratulated the governor of Cross River State, Professor Ben Ayade on the decision to join the league of progressives’ governors in Nigeria.
Nigeria’s former senate leader and Secretary of the APC 2018 National Convention Planning Committee, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba in a message, described the defection of Governor Ayade as a “well thought out decision”.
Ndoma-Egba recalled that since 1999, Cross River state has always been in the mainstream of Nigerian politics rather than be in the opposition of the leading party in the country, noting “there is no gainsaying the fact that the past 6 years of being in the opposition has impacted the State negatively, even though you have consciously navigated the ship of governance in sync with the APC-led Federal Government. I commend you for recognizing this fact and doing the needful for the good of our dear State.”
He expressed the hope that the movement to the APC would enrich Cross River’s internal democracy, stressing “I enjoin you to be consultative, inclusive, democratic, transparent and accountable because these are the hallmarks of the All Progressives Congress family. I also expect that your presence in the APC will further strengthen the party and improve our electoral fortunes in Cross River State.”
Sagacity and courage
Also, the former Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Prosecution and chieftain of the APC in Cross River, Okoi Oblong Obla has joined to welcome the governor to APC.
In a message, Obla stated that Ayade being human has done much to move the State forward considering the debt profile inherited from previous administrations.
He stated, “Governor Ayade has done his best for Cross River State, and he is still doing his best. Cross River State has a huge debt profile, which Governor Ayade inherited. But, Governor Ayade has managed the State’s economy excellently, paying salary and doing projects. I salute him. He is a man of sagacity and courage.
“APC is just seven years old. PDP is 21 years old. APC controlled Nigerian Government in six years. PDP led the Federal Government of Nigeria for 12 years. APC inherited a broken country and is doing its best to bring sanity. APC has brought a semblance in so many areas. Rome was not built in a day.
“I believe APC is better than PDP. APC controlled Federal Government has done more for this country in 6 years with little resources than what PDP did in 12 years with so much money. Welcome, Governor Ayade,” he stated.
He pledged, “as an APC leader from Cross River State, I pledge to work assiduously with Governor Ayade to enhance the party’s fortunes.”
Ending the rumour
Similarly, the APC governorship candidate in the 2019 election, Senator John Owa-Eno in his own message stated, “we waited with bated breath and measured anticipation. I am enthused today that finally the rumour has now become a reality. The historic nature of your entry into the party is not lost on every well meaning Cross Riverian.
“It evinces hope and has lit the light of unbridled optimism in the minds of party members and the teeming supporters of our great party in the state and across the nation. Your entry into the party at this auspicious time in nation building, a period of profound challenges confronting the nation is remarkable,” he added.
Emmanuel Ukoh
