By Efa Sunday: Government House Correspondent
As the forthcoming general elections draw near, the campaign team of the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Ben Ayade yesterday birthed at the Yakurr and Biase LGA respectively.
The Paramount Ruler of Yakurr, Obol Lopon Ofem Ubana Eteng pledged his support and that of his people to ensure that Ayade is reelected.
In a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Yakurr Guest House, over 50 traditional rulers that were in attendance appended their support as well, praying that Governor Ayade’s will visit them again after the election rejoicing.
HRM Ubana Eteng who spoke on behalf of all the Monarchs described their loyalty as a “payback time,” recounting the good deeds of the Governor towards the Yakurr people.
“We have had past governance but we have not had it so good like the government of Professor Ben Ayade. In Yakurr we have two Commissioners and so many appointees and the Chairman of Water Board Cross River State. All the things the Governor promised me, he has done all, so it is now time to pay him back.
“I want to tell the Governor that on behalf of all the traditional rulers, that we are all happy about his Government and we are going to vote him to go back. We are going to give you a hundred percent vote come March 2, 2019.
“The Governor has taken care of the Institute of Management in Ugep and has built a toothpick factory at Ekori, which currently employed over 600 youths,” the Royal Father said.
Likewise, the Paramount Ruler of Biase Local Government Area, Obol Cornelius Odum said that the All Progressives Congress do not have a place in Biase, a statement he made in reaction to the former Chief Judge of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen’s case.
Obol Odum also assured Governor Ayade and all PDP candidates in the forthcoming election their unfettered support, also beseeched the Governor to help facilitate the completion of the Teachers Training Institute situated at the heart of Biase community.
HRM Odum said, “One good turn deserves another. You are working in this State, and we have seen your work, and we all say that you deserve a second term. The whole of Biase belong to this family and they will never disappoint the family.”
In separate remarks at both visits Governor Ayade’s reiterated that, “I’m not going to say much, but to just add that it will be only fair to allow the North complete their eight years, seeing that the Central just finished it’s tenure barely three and a half years ago. If you recall vividly, you will see that during the 2015 election, nobody came out from North to contest the seat with the Central candidate, therefore, I think for the purpose of brotherly living, peace and equity, we should also be allowed to finish my two terms so that the peaceful zoning arrangement won’t be scattered.
“When I finish my eight years, the office rotates back to the South and I will be solidly behind the South to take their turn. Have you ever wonder how Ayade’s manages to pay the salaries of workers in this State, despite our meagre allocation, it is called Intellectual Money. So my Traditional Rulers her today, I would want you to go back and tell your subjects to vote for Ayade and all the PDP candidates, because the Ben Ayade administration is committed to putting food in the table of every Cross Riverians and that is what I will continue to do.” He said.
Below are pictures from the endorsement visit.
