By Archibong Jeremiah
Members of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS Cross River State chapter have adopted the state Peoples Democratic Party, PDP governorship candidate and his deputy, Professor Ben Ayade and Professor Ivara Esu respectively for next month’s general election.
The adoption was made during an exclusive briefing with CrossRiverWatch by the new executive members of the students union after arising from their inaugural executive meeting held in Calabar.
The 16 man executive led by the state Chairman, Obo Obona asserted that, “We recognize our role in the political process which is why we carefully x-rayed all the candidates for governorship bearing in mind the task ahead. After this careful scrutiny, we arrived at the conclusion that Prof. Ben Ayade and Prof. Ivara Esu are the ones in top gear with clear possibility to deliver”.
“We did not chose them based on political party but base on merit and prospect; for example look at the circumstance surrounding the process of electing the flag bearers of the various party and their existing structures, you won’t doubt the fact that Ben Ayade and Ivara Esu have the pedigree and prospectus of the people’s support. Ayade until after the PDP guber primaries never posted a bill board or poster of his interest, he wasn’t sure and had almost lost hope to the point he was confused about the governorship or returning back to the Senate but as God will have it, he emerged against all odds and expectation”.
Going on, they called on all Nigerian students in Cross River to cast their votes for Prof. Ben Ayade and Prof. Ivara Esu as governor and deputy respectively.
“The two Professors are the best candidates but how can they emerge if you don’t vote, you can only vote by getting your permanent voters card which INEC say is the only key. Nigerian students and all and sundry join hands with us as we vote for Ben Ayade and Ivara Esu and you won’t regret it, forget about what party presents them but focus on their pedigree and prospects”.