As the All Progressives Congress, APC, campaign train for Cross River State in southern Nigeria hits Obanliku local government area, the traditional rulers have assured the governor, Professor Ben Ayade of their votes at next month’s general election.
The chiefs led by the paramount ruler of Obanliku, Dr. Amos Iten prayed and blessed the governor, Professor Ayade, who is contesting for the northern senatorial seat against the incumbent Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP alongside other candidates.
Iten, who was speaking at a consultative session with the governor and other APC candidates from the district, assured Ayade of their support stating, “power comes from God and God has destined you to return to the senate, no human being can change it. You have been there (senate) before and we all can attest to what you did for northern Cross River. My son was one of the beneficiaries of your scholarship programme as a senator. We are here for and will do the needful to return you to the senate.”
The monarch further stated, “we have kept our drums and other musical instruments ready to celebrate your victory and swearing-in as senator. Obanliku is a local government that does what it says and when we tell you we have accepted you, just know that you have been accepted.”
Eulogising the governor, the paramount ruler recalled “Ayade started doing good even before he went to the senate. All we owe you is prayers, we pray that God’s wish should materialize. We are waiting for your swearing-in day and that of the governorship candidate of the APC. We will be by your side, give you our votes and sing congratulations in the end.”
Strategic victory
Earlier, the governor told the excited crowd that Obanliku was too strategic to the state and his government to be ignored as sons and daughters from the area were serving in his administration and holding juicy positions.
According to him, he was in the process of upgrading the iconic Obudu Cattle Ranch Resort, establish industrial scale potato farm among others in Obanliku.
The governor further noted, “we are installing another batch of solar lights in Obanliku. We have two sons of Obanliku, who are grade ‘A’ commissioners in my administration. I sent several sons and daughters of Obanliku abroad for university education even before l went to the senate.
“I looked at the temperature climate of the ranch and put a potatoes factory to be able to grow and export Irish potatoes and process it into French fries. We do not have commercial production of potatoes in Nigeria. So, l thought that Obanliku is the best place for the crop after doing soil analysis,” he also hinted.
The governor informed the traditional leaders and people that the all candidates of the APC running for president, senate, governorship and other offices have the capacity and competence to deliver democratic gains.
In his words: “I want to say something to you about Senator Bassey Otu, he is a good man. If he was not a good man, he will not be my candidate. We are supporting Senator Otu to be governor because fairness, justice and fair play demand that the southern senatorial district of our dear state produces the next governor because the north and central had their turn. Besides, Senator Otu is qualified and competent; he has a track record of service delivery.”
The consultation with the traditional rulers later snowballed into a rally held at the Obanliku local government council secretariat in sankwala attended by a mammoth crowd of party faithful and supporters of the APC.
N.O
