By; VITALIS UGOH, Calabar
Cross River State Governor, Senator Ben Ayade has announced that 3000 youth from the Central Senatorial district of the state are to be captured under the Conditional Cash Transfer programme.
He made the disclosure at the Ikom Township stadium where tens of thousands of people held a rally to compel him to seek a second term in office.
He reiterated his promise to change the lives of the people for the better during his tenure ‘in office.
“Upon my honour, my character, my integrity, exposure, wealth and fear of God, I will make a difference. I am going to bring prosperity and hope to these young faces, he told enthusiastic crowd”.
The endorsement rally was organised by six local government areas of Abi, Obubra, Yarkurr, Etung, Boki and Ikom which make the Central senatorial district of the state.
In a motion moved by the House of Representatives member representing Obubra/Etung Federal constituency, Hon Mike Etaba and seconded by another lawmaker representing Ikom 1 state constituency, Hon Fred Osim, the people resolved that no son or daughter from the senatorial district should vie for the office of governor except the present occupier.
Various groups and associations decked in their regalia, bearing placards which bore, “Ayade 100% undiluted,” “Ayade, Eye of Cross River State 2019,” “Central says yes to Ayade,” “Central Cross River is sure for Ayade 2019,” “Code 888,” among others.
Speakers at the event took time to compel Ayade to accept the endorsement and seek another term in office to enable him complete the various programs and projects initiated by his administration.
Chairman of the occasion and former military administrator of Bayelsa State, Col Pam Ogar, rtd said, “this exercise is initiated by a willing people to motivate you to come out by 2019. We give you our prayers, accept this endorsement willingly. We are following and watching you to go beyond and do brilliantly well all the penciled programs and projects you have enumerated”.
For Ntufam Sandy Onor, the event was a sweet reunion, adding, “many high profile movements have returned to the party hence the political osmosis are now on ground to clinch elective positions”.
Giving assurances on machinery put on ground to defeat political opponents, Onor said, “In Etung, the opposition will be defeated; In Ikom they will be worsted; in Boki they will be exterminated; in Obubra they will be decapitated; in Yarkurr they will be decimated and in Abi they will be completely rested”.
In his remarks, Dr Pius Tawo described Ayade as one who, not only understands development, but a strategic partner that will take Cross River state to prosperity, adding that, “the projects initiated by Ayade will recalibrate the state completely”.
Speaking on behalf of political appointees from the zone, the Commissioner for Education, Obol Goddy Etta said, “we are here to endorse and to present to you an order of mandamus. You must actualise the 888 code because you can not leave us half way,” adding that, “we in the central have contributed money to buy your form”.
