by crossriverwatch admin
A group, Jedy Solidarity Movement JSM has asked the people of Cross River State to support the aspiration of the Group General Manager, Crude Oil Marketing of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation NNPC, Mr. Goddy Jedy-Agba, OFR, to succeed governor Imoke come 2015.
Coordinator of the group, Mr. Utsu Atsu who made this call in Lagos today in a press briefing said that, though Mr. Jedy has not declared openly that he wants to run for governor, the group has sufficient conviction that the NNPC boss is just taking his time to tie the loose ends before declaring his ambition.
He commended governor Imoke and the PDP for having the courage to insist that the governorship of the state should be zoned to the northern senatorial district after Imoke’s second term and called on Cross Riverians to chat a new course by supporting Goddy Jedy Agba.
In a press text, the group said: “Goddy Agba represents the aspiration of the ordinary Cross Riverian who yearns for change. And we are simply telling Cross Riverians that change is on the way. Having risen through the tortuous ranks of the civil service to now occupy the enviable position of GGM in a very sensitive department of the NNPC like Crude Oil Marketing, Goddy Agba has established himself as a disciplined, focused and consummate achiever whose wealth of experience is required to pilot the affairs of an ailing state like Cross River.
“At the moment, Cross River State is the third most indebted state in the federation with domestic debts standing at over 97 billion Naira. We need a governor like Goddy Agba who will tap into the necessary expertize, connections and contacts that will draw the requisite capital to revolutionarize our economy, create wealth for our people and free us from the debt burden.
“His Godilogo Farm is employing over 2,500 persons who are all on his payroll and his vision for Agriculture in a state with over 20,000 square kilometres of arable land is a promise of good things to come.”
The group described the call from some quarters on the state governor, Senator Liyel Imoke to solely decide his successor as self-serving and contemptuous of the will of the people in a democracy.
They also described those waiting to be anointed as politically feeble and challenged them to step into the turf and tell Cross Riverians what they have to offer.
“All the talk about anyone being a stranger is hog wash. No one can be more Cross Riverian than Goddy Agba. He is a Prince in line to the throne of his father, Uti JD Agba, the Paramount Ruler of Obudu.
“All those asking the governor to solely select his successor are not doing democracy any good. Where then is the will of the people? People should realize that things are changing. The social media is encourage more robust citizen participation and interest in the political process and that must be respected by stakeholders. Such calls are self-serving from people who are deluding themselves that they may be beneficiaries.
“The governor and the PDP have stated clearly that the governorship should go to the north, contestants must have the courage to come out and compete on the basis of what they have to offer and not waiting to be anointed.
“Such tactics are only characteristic of political neophytes not deserving of the high office of the governor. Such tactics robs the system of shine and finesse.
Mr. Atsu hinted that the group is presently putting a structure in place to commence mobilization of 200, 000 fresh voters in Cross River State in preparation for the new voter registration exercise.
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