- Ex-Students’ Leaders support APC candidate
- As ‘Obi-dient’ Movement disowns PDP alliance
BY UBON EKANEM, CALABAR – With less than 48 hours to the March 18, 2023 gubernatorial and State House of Assembly elections across the country, various interest groups have intensified efforts at endorsing candidates of their choice in Cross River State.
Latest group on the block comprises former Students leaders in the State who have thrown their weight behind the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu to occupy the Government House come May 29, 2023
Addressing a press conference in Calabar, the former Students’ leaders said after a careful assessment of all candidates lining up for the elections, they are convinced that the APC candidate has what it takes to chart a progressive road map for development in the State.
Speaking under the aegis of Forum of past and present student leaders in the state, former Acting President, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Dr Jerome Egbe said they were particularly elated by the fact that Prince Otu is the only governorship candidate among the pact to succinctly promise that payment of bursary to students of tertiary institutions will be immediately effected under his watch as the elected governor.
Comrade Egbe also said the APC flag bearer’s economic blueprint is designed to redress various sectors of the State’s economy which currently is in dire straits and urgently needs a lifeline.
He said given the candidate’s pedigree in the National Assembly, both as a House of Representatives member and Senator, they are convinced that given the opportunity to mount the saddle of political leadership in the state he would not disappoint the people.
‘Obi-dient Movement’ Kicks
In another development, the purported endorsement of the People Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Cross River by the Labour Party (LP) presidential Standard bearer, Peter Obi for the March 18 election is generating huge storms within the ‘Obi-dient Movement’ in the state,
Addressing the media in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, a coalition of Labour Party support groups led by the Chairman of ‘Obi-dient Movement’, Mr Odung Michael debunked the endorsement claims a the handiwork of agents provocateurs
Describing it as soar grapes concocted to paint the Labour Party in bad light and cause internal crisis among the members, Mr Michael said their presidential candidate is a man of integrity who cannot abandon a credible LP gubernatorial candidate in the state to support a rival party candidate in the same elections.
He said ever since news of the so-called endorsement video went viral, they have received several phone calls from their teaming supporters threatening to dump the party should such information turns out to be true.
The ‘Obi-dient Movement’ spokesperson however appealed to their teeming supporters to remain calm as the Party governorship candidate, Comrade Ogar Osim remains in the race, and has at no time surrendered his mandate due to any form of inducement
