… Calls on aggrieved members to sheathetheir swords and work together.
The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the October 31st Senatorial bye-election in Cross North, Chief Barr Stephen Odey Ph D has officially received the party’s flag. The ceremony, which took place in Okpoma, the headquarters of Yala Local Government Area, was well attended by Party stalwarts and supporters.
The Governor, Sen. (Prof.) Ben Ayade, ably represented by the his Deputy, Prof. Ivara Esu, described Cross River North as the stronghold of Party in the state. He therefore charged the elders of the district to call their people to order and advise them not to disgrace the party by throwing up expensive jokes in the guise of power tussle.
Other dignitaries that graced the occasion include: Barr. Tina Agbo (SSG); Mr. Martin Orim, Chief of Staff to the Governor; Dr. Jake Otu Enya, Commissioner for Aviation; RT. Hon. Etim Jones, Speaker State House of Assembly and other House of Assembly Members, among other party stalwart.
High point of the accassion was the presentation of flag to Dr. Odey, who overwhelmingly won the September 5th party primaries, by the Party’s Caretaker Chairman, Ntufam Edim Inok Edim.
Receiving the flag, Dr. Odey who was visibly overwhelmed with joy, thanked his teeming supporters for witnessing the official handing over of the flag to him, which is a symbol of authority and stamp on his candidature.
He pledged his loyalty to the party and its leadership; and called on all aggrieved party members to sheathe their swords and join him to work in on accord towards the victory of the party.
Some of the activities that featured in the event include: delivery of goodwill messages, gyration by support groups and the actual handing over of the flag.
In his opening remarks, Rt Hon. Legor Idagbo, a member representing Bekwarra/Obudu/Obanliku Federal Constituency, who is also the Chairman of the Campaign Council called for a minute silence for the soul of the departed Senator, Dr Rose Oko and expressed his gratitude to the mammoth crowd who turned out for the event.
He also admonished the people of Cross River North, especially the Youth to come out en mass and vote for one of their own come October 31st. Hon. Legor revealed that the approach to the campaign would simply be in form of celebration (singing and dancing) in lieu of the landslide victory.
Other Speakers at the occasion also drum massive support for the PDP Candidate. Prominent among them include Rt Hon. Peter Odey, Rt Hon Regina Anyogo, Chief Tony Undiandeye, Godwin Amanke, Sir (Barr.) Dorncklaimz Enamhe and Hon. Stella Oreme Odey, State House of Assembly members representing Ogoja, Obudu, Obanliku, Bekwarra and Yala respectively. On behalf of their constituents, they unanimously pledge their unflinching commitment to the victory of Dr Odey in the forthcoming election. Describing Dr Odey as the right man for the job, given his antecedents as a veteran administrator and an erudite scholar, they advised party faithfuls to eschew all forms of altercations and conflicts with all rival groups during the electioneering.
Similarly, the Director General of the Campaign Council, Ntufam (Chief) Peter Ojie, Ph.D thanked the people of Cross River North for always keeping faith with PDP and emphasises why Yala should be allowed to complete their tenure in the 9th senate. According to him, doing otherwise will be tantamount to shifting the goal post at the middle of the game.
By Joseph Omaga Onyina and Ukpong Moses
