By; VITALIS UGOH, Calabar
The traditional rulers and chiefs in Obanliku Local Government Area of Cross River State have reassured the governor, Prof. Ben Ayade of rousing welcome in anticipation of his victory in next month’s election.
Ayade who is the All Progressive’s Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Northern Cross River was in the local government area in continuation of the party’s campaign tour of the senatorial district.
To buttress their support for Ayade and other APC candidates, the governor and the other candidates were given traditional blessings by the chiefs.
Speaking on behalf of the monarchs and chiefs, the Paramount Ruler of Obanliku, His Royal Highness, Dr Amos Iten said during a strategic consultation they had with governor Ayade that his return to the Senate was a fait accompli.
“Your Excellency, power comes from God and God has destined you to return to the Senate, no human being can change it; you have been there (Senate) before and we all can test to what you did for Northern Cross River. My son was one of the beneficiaries of your scholarship programme as a Senator. We are here for and will do the needful to return you to the Senate.
“We have kept our drums and other musical instrument ready to celebrate your victory and swearing-in as Senator”
According to the Paramount ruler, “Obanliku is a local government that does what they say, if they tell you they have accepted you, just know that you have been accepted”
Eulogising the Governor, the monarch recalled that “Ayade started doing good even before he went to the Senate.”
Further pledging the Obanliku Traditional Rulers Council’s total support to the APC and its candidates, Dr Iten said. “All we owe you is prayers, we pray that God’s wish should materialize. Your Excellency, we are waiting for your swearing-in day and that of the Governorship Candidate of the APC.
“We will be by your side, give you our votes and sing congratulations in the end.”
Earlier, the governor whose speech was intermittently interrupted by the chants of ‘Back to Senate’ by the mammoth crowd outside the venue of the meeting, told the monarchs that Obanliku was too strategic to the state and his government to be ignored; reason, he said, sons and daughters from the area were appointed into strategic positions in his government.
According to him, the upgrade of the iconic Obudu Cattle ranch resort, the establishment of industrial scale Potato farm in Obanliku among others exemplified the high regard he has for the council.
Enumerating what he has done for the council area, Ayade said: “We are installing another batch of solar lights in Obanliku which is coming very soon. We have two sons of Obanliku who are grade A commissioners in my Administration. That has never happened before.
“I sent several sons and daughters of Obanliku abroad for university education even before l went to the Senate.
“I looked at the temperature climate of the Ranch and put a potatoes factory to be able to grow and export Irish potato and process it into French fries.
“We do not have commercial production of potatoes in Nigeria so, l thought that Obanliku is the best place for the crop after doing soil analysis”
Canvassing support for APC candidates from top to bottom, Ayade told the monarchs that they( candidates) have the capacity and competence to deliver.
Said the governor: “I want to say something to you about Senator Bassey Otu, he’s a good man. If he was not a good man, he won’t be my candidate.
“We are supporting Distinguished Senator Otu to be governor because fairness, justice and fair play demand that the Southhern Senatorial district of our dear state produces the next governor because the North and Central have had their turns.
“Besides, Senator Otu is qualified and competent, he has a track record of service delivery.
Ayade also made a case for the APC presidential, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu who he said has the the integrity and capacity to fix Nigeria the same way he fixed Lagos.
