By Ushang Ewa
The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator John Owan-Enoh’s ambition may have suffered a major set back on Tuesday, as his elder brother, Professor Anthony Owan-Enoh, as well as a delegation of his kinsmen endorsed Governor Ben Ayade for the 2019 gubernatorial election.
Throwing their weight behind Ayade’s second term bid were top political leaders including former military governor of Kwara State and leader of the delegation, Colonel Pam Ogar (rtd), traditional rulers, youths and elders from the eight political wards of Etung local government area, where Owan-Enoh hails from.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, at the Executive Council Chambers, venue of the endorsement, Colonel Ogar said by the sheer number of Etung leaders present in the meeting was a clear indication that the people held the governor in high regards.
Ogar lauded Ayade for he noted were his giant strides in industrial, economic and agricultural revolution, as well as the siting of a project in each council area of the state of the which Etung has a Reference Hospital, and a Cocoa Processing Plant in Ikom which local government will hugely benefit due to proximity.
“Thank you, Your Excellency, for the opportunity to interface with the government, rub mind and share ideas on how to move the state forward. The large number present here, not minding the short notice and communication challenge represents how much you mean to the people of Etung.
“Your industrial, economic, agricultural drive and revolution in the state is legendary as you ensure that every LGA has a major project with Etung having a reference hospital and also stand to benefit from the cocoa processing factory in ikom as result of proximity. To this end, we the people of Etung have every reason and justification to collectively support your re-election this year,” Ogar said.
Also in his remarks, Professor Owan-Enoh who is the APC guber candidates elder brother and Vice Chancellor of the Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH), praised Mr. Ayade achievements in office so far.
He said the Etung people have been neglected for too long, adding that: “Today if going with the person I know in order for my people to be liberated I will do so.” According to him, Ayade has proven by conduct and actions that he was a real leader with a heart that feels for all.
Commending Mr. Ayade for awarding a contract for the rehabilitation of Ikom-Agbokim to Agbokim water falls road, Owan-Enoh averred that: “Today Etung has a name because of Ayade and this is the beginning of Etung’s glory. Thanks for the rehabilitation of the Ikom Agbokim to Agbokim water falls road which has been a thorn in the flesh of the people for so long.
“The entire Etung people are behind you and will massively vote for you to ensure you continue in the Government House, Diamond Hill, Calabar, beyond May 29, this year.”
Also voicing his unflinching support for Ayade and to his re-election, the first grandson of the Owan-Enoh’s family, Obi Steven said the people of Etung were happy with Governor Ayade for giving them a voice in terms of appointments, and projects that they will be huge beneficiaries.
He maintained that: “the family and the entire Etung people cannot make the mistake to vote against Ayade because under his leadership, the local government area has witnessed rapid growth and development in both human and material.”
Speakers after speakers from the eight wards took turns to laud the Governor with the Commissioner for Water Resources, Mr. Gabriel Oji, claiming that outstanding leaders of Etung from all nooks and crannies were represented in the meeting with eight out of 10 Wards of the council leadership present.
He said the APC’s candidate, could not have done one tenth of what Ayade has done within three years in office.
“I want to inform the governor that represented in this meeting are all the leaders of the Etung nation and also represented are the eight ward leaders to show you that we support you totally. All the outstanding leaders of the Etung nation are here and l am one person that is known for speaking the truth and the truth is that you are one governor who has done so much for our people,” Odu-Oji said.
Justifying Ayade’s endorsement, he stated that: “The Etung nation has every reason to support and endorse you for a second term. You are one governor who has given the Etung people the highest number of appointments. You have brought the cocoa processing factory to Ikom which is near to us in Etung.
“The APC candidate cannot do one tenth of what you have done. When somebody has not shown charity for his 20 years in the highest representative political position, how can we trust such a person? This gathering consists of 99 percent of the leadership of the Etung people and we would not fail you. Owan Enoh has failed us as a Senator.”
The candidate of the People’s Democratic Party for the position of the Senator representing the central senatorial district, Mr. Sandy Onor, in his remarks said that: “Ayade is a man with a divine mandate with which the grace of God rests upon, taking into consideration the monumental developmental work ongoing under the governor.
“Most governors that we consider truly great today were not great in their first four years but Ayade is already great in his four year and would be legendary in the next four years.”
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