By Laureta Akpan
After several denials and dilly dallying, Ntufam Fidelis Ugbo, former PDP top governorship aspirant has declared to run for the Cross River State governorship under the platform of the Labour Party.
Ugbo in his declaration speech at the African Club in Calabar said “today marks the turning point in the journey to deepening in democracy in Nigeria. From the very first beginning, democracy has been the right of the masses to choose whom they want and not the right of some people to impose on the masses their own choice.” And this according to Ugbo is the reason why he is presenting himself to the masses in other for them to choose who truly they think can best represent them.
“What happened in PDP were I was a former strong member was rather an act of murder to democracy. We believe that we are giving you people an opportunity to make a choice, to choose who should lead you. I am here presenting myself to all of you. You know me very well. I have served this state as commissioner for finance, project and planning. Your money did not miss. I served this state as secretary to government and I served you well. I served you at the national level as secretary, national economic council and I made Cross River State proud. If you give Nella (his deputy) and I the opportunity, we are taking you to the world; Cross River will be taken to the world,” Ntufam Ugbo said.
“I want to thank you very much for the wonderful and maximun support you have given us. We are going to arrange and start our campaign properly. All of us will join in the campaign train. We will release the itinerary and all of you will know when we are starting, where we are starting and how we are starting and also the role that you need to play,” Ntufam Fidelis said.
Mrs. Nella Andem-Ewa Rabana (SAN) on her part assured Cross Riverians that they have come to bring justice to the state.
She said: “Our governor has spoken; all I will add is just a little. We are coming to bring justice, we are coming to bring equity, we are coming to bring truth, we are coming to bring honor, honor and honor. Women, we have found our voice and we must be heard.”
One of Ugbo’s supporter and media team members, Peter Offem Ubi, who spoke to CrossRiverWatch said: “I will add authoritatively that Ugbo is in this race to rescue Cross River from the strangulation of deceptive spirit. Ntufam Fidelis Ugbo and Nella Andem Ewa-Rabana (SAN) are the true choice of the masses.”
Ugbo’s crowd of supporters followed him from Margaret Ekpo International Airport through Eta-Agbor, down to Goldie and up to Watt Market beside the venue of gathering.