Former C’River Governor joins APC, pledges loyalty
By, Vitalis Ugoh, Calabar.
The former Cross River State civilian Governor, Chief Clement David Ebri, under the National Republican Convention (NRC) has formerly joined the All Progressive Congress (APC).
Ebri who also was a former National Chairman of Progressive Party Alliance (PPA) declared his intention before a mammoth crowd in his country home in Mkpani/Agoi ward in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River.
He was the governor between 1992 and 1993 before a military coup truncated the administration.
Speaking at the occasion, Ebri said he decided to stay away from partisan politics because he did not see those involved playing the game the way it ought to be played.
According to him, “I went into politics to bring about change, but when I discovered it was not so anymore, I went into hiding”.
Said he, “I did not have the patience my contemporaries had so I had no option than to quit when the ovation was loudest”.
However, he said, after several years of non activeness, there were a lot of pressure coming from my friends to come back to active politics yet, it took me so much time to have a rethink.
“But today, I have decided to come back because APC has done so much within the few months in power. If PDP had continued to remain in power, there would have been no future for Nigeria, he said”.
Ebri recalled that there was so much “impunity” in PDP government. It became an imperial government where other stakeholders had nothing to offer.
“Today as I am addressing you, PDP has scattered. We do not want a government of impunity. We want an inclusive government. That is the only way we can salvage this country, he said”.
APC government, he noted, runs an all inclusive government and that is why we have come to join hands to build the party much stronger in the state. The entire state is collapsing because of bad governance.
Ebri enjoined his numerous supporters who will in a later date decamp en-masse to be patient enough as there was complete mess in the entire system which needed to be addressed with patience.
He, however, thanked them for coming out to rally around him, adding that “we as your leaders are not here to take over your positions but to guide and direct you on the right path to go. I have fought impunity and will continue to fight against it. There is no lift to success. You must work for it and only those who merit it shall be given the opportunity to serve”.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the occasion, Ambassador J.T. Ayanbem expressed joy that Ebri had taken the right decision at the right time.
He advised him to remain focus and not to forget his people in terms of attracting dividends of democracy to his people and prayed God to lead him alright.
Also speaking, the Ward Chairman, Mr. Monday Emmanuel Oboma, described Ebri as a father, brother and a patriot who had always defended the masses at all times.
“Your decision to join the APC is a welcome development and urged him to be steadfast as well as to ensure that the youths of Mkpani/Agoi were remembered in terms of employments”.
The Minister of Niger Delta Ministry, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani, who graced the occasion personally, expressed great joy that Chief Ebri had joined the ruling party APC where he rightly belong given his past antecedents.
APC, he said, stands for justice and due process. He urged the over 5,000 supporters to exercise patience with the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, as many more good things were under the way.
The system, he said, recorded a lot of mess which needed to be cleansed to enable the suffering masses of this country to begin to benefit.
Earlier, the Vice Chairman APC in the state, Hon. Cletus Obun, said the decision by Chief Ebri to join APC, is sending a very dangerous signal to the PDP government in the state.
Therefore, he enjoined APC supporters to remain calm as very soon, things will begin to manifest as the change mantra of this administration has started to yield results.
Dignitaries at the occasion, include, the governor of Nassarawa state, Alhaji Tanko Al-Makura, Governor Rochas Okoroacha, former Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, former Chief of Staff, Dr. Alex Egbona, Hon. Hillard Ettah, past chairman of councils among others.
Guests were entertained by various traditional dancers, including the popular Arochukwu war dancers.
