The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has flagged off its campaign for the February 26, 2022 by-elections in Cross River State south-south Nigeria.
The flag-off came despite the police blockade of the chosen venue, the Calabar Sports Club.
The PDP had opted to use the Sports Club located along the main highway in Calabar, the Cross River State capital rather than it’s secretariat, but on the orders of the Police Commissioner, Mr. Aminu Alhassan, policemen cordoned off its main entrance.
However, PDP stakeholders such as the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, serving Senator Gershom Bassey representing the Southern Senatorial district, former governor, Senator Liyel Imoke and a host of others converged on the venue using an alternate entrance to the property.
While addressing the candidates at the rally, Governor Wike urged members of the PDP in Cross River not to be intimidated by the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
Governor Wike described the incident as “unfortunate and shameful for anyone to try to intimidate members of PDP by using security operatives to stop a rally for ordinary federal and state constituencies by-elections.”
Resilience
He said a performing government would have no need to stop a rally nor sign the electoral bill into law, which, according to him, would guarantee accountability and transparency in the transmission of election results.
“Why on earth will they try stop an ordinary rally if they have done well? This is just by-elections for federal and state constituency? What if it was the governorship, what would they have done? If they had succeeded in stopping us from holding the rally that would have been the end of the party (PDP) in Cross River. But, we are a very resilient people,” Governor Wike stated.
He further said, “2023 is not 2019. PDP means business. We are taking over Cross River State. Go out and get your PVCs. Make sure you vote and also make sure you guide and protect your votes. It is obvious that you are ready to take over Cross River once again.
“Do not be afraid, they tried it in Rivers state, but we resisted them. It is just a form of intimidation. I thought the only way to test the people is to allow them to hold their rally whether they would come or not.
“With the by-elections, they will know and understand that it is no longer business as usual. Indeed we will leave no stone unturn; we must defeat APC.”
Speaking, the Chairman of the PDP in Cross River, Mr. Venatius Ikem expressed satisfaction that party stalwarts were patient irrespective of the hitch.
”They tried to stop us, but they could not. We have mobilised and we are ready for the elections. Nobody can stop us; nobody can intimidate us,”he stated.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
