By CrossRiverWatch Admin
The Cross River State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party says it will go into the next season of electioneering campaigning on the basis of verifiable projects and successes and not propaganda.
The Chairman of the party in the State, Venatius Ikem Esq made this known last weekend while welcoming 2,193 defectors from the All Progressives Congress, All Progressives Grand Alliance, Labour Party, and the People’s Redemption Party into the party at the Senator Jarigbe Agom mini stadium along the Igoli – Okuku road.
“We are not to campaign against APC on the basis of empty propaganda, we will campaign on the basis of projects on the ground. Our Senator and House of Representatives members have over-satisfied me because every community has several projects that you will see, and they will be executed, and they will make you very proud,” Mr. Ikem said.
Lawmakers in Cross River have come under criticism in the past for sharing motorcycles, which were tagged ‘okada empowerment.’
Reacting to that, Mr. Ikem, said, “We are not going to campaign about sharing rice or sharing motorcycles. They are things that we take for granted. We have projects to rebuild schools, build mini stadia for every Local Government in the entire constituency for youths to exercise their energy.”
To the new members, the Chairman, who said some were deceived into leaving the party for different reasons, disclosed that; “I assure you, as you join today, we will ensure that you have full rights and privileges of every member of the party.”
While addressing the members, third term lawmaker and Senator representing Cross River north in the 10th Assembly, Senator Jarigbe Agom enjoined members to avoid past mistakes and embrace opportunities that will empower them economically.
“When you come to me, and you tell me, I want to go and plant my farm, I want Keke, to carry my yams, I will listen to you. But don’t come to me with the things that you know I cannot do. Ask me the things that I know, you know, you can do, and you can go and multiply. Don’t come and tell me that you want to go and open a boutique in Calabar, I will not support you. Come and tell what you can do that I know I can come and see here, and I know you have done something, and we will all support you,” he said.
Agom who said the PDP is a party that flows with honor and sincerity, took a jibe at those who defected from the party saying they were interested in only their stomachs and not the provision of amenities for their people.
“Our new PDP members, from Ukelle to Mbelekete, you are all welcome. You have come to the party that flows with sincerity and honor. The milk and honey is relative to what you think in your mind. Some people want to catch something, but that thing they want to catch, is a mirage – so they are running towards a mirage; we bid them farewell, and we receive you to the party that has honor and sincerity,” he said.
The lawmaker, who said he appreciates the support he enjoys from the two House of Representative members in the northern senatorial district, charged members to ensure the PDP clears the next elections.
Yala Local Government Area produced the highest number of defectors at 621, followed by Obudu at 517 and then Obanliku at 480 with 460 welcomed into the PDP in Ogoja while Bekwarra produced 115 defectors for a total of 2,193.
Explaining the reason for their defection, Mr. Austin Abaka who led the defectors in Obanliku, says “I was in the desert, I was in the wilderness, now we are in the promised land.”
His counterpart in Obudu, Dr. Fidelis Ayang says they are happy with the people-oriented programs of the PDP and the “manner in which you sample people for empowerment.” He averred that they are all willing to work for the party’s growth.
