The Director General of the Campaign Organization of the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in Cross River State, Ambassador Soni Abang, has stated categorically that he has the requisite experience and determination to match up with the very overwhelming popularity and great followership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in Cross River State, Senator (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu.
Amb. Soni Abang stated this in an exclusive interaction in Calabar when his views were sought on the possibilities or otherwise of the chances of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in 2023 general elections.
He stated that there is great certainty of the APC’s victory in the gubernatorial as well as the State and National Assembly elections as the party has lined up great candidates with unshakeable electoral value to lock horns with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and any other political parties that would rear their heads to confront the All Progressives Congress in Cross River State.
The former Ambassador to Mali stated emphatically that as Director General of Prince Bassey Edet Otu’s Campaign Organization, he has absolutely no fear of losing the elections considering the formidable candidature of the APC gubernatorial candidate, adding that broad based Directorates will be formed across all strata of the APC and that the campaign structure will be different from earlier ones ever formed in the state. These directorates,he stated will include Finance/Mobilization, Research and Diaspora, among many others.
He also said that presently, the Campaign Organization is working with over 100 academicians from various disciplines in line with the urgent need of the ruling party ahead of the elections.
Chief Soni Abang, who was also a former State Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for 7 years noted with incredible glee that the opposition People’s Democratic Party is coming into the elections with a very heavy moral baggage which is hanging conspicuously on its neck.
This baggage, he noted, is the insistence of the opposition PDP on producing a governorship candidate from the Central Senatorial District when the doctrine of equity, natural justice, fair play and brotherliness dictates otherwise. He totally condemned a situation where people have become too greedy for political power and have in the process, thrown away sterling political expedience for personal gains.
The Director General drew attention to the unwritten rule which governs power equations in Cross River State whereby all the senatorial districts in the state take turns to produce the governor without any rancour, adding that it was only natural that the Number One Seat be occupied by the Southern Senatorial District from May, 2023, having gone round all the districts.
He stated that His Excellency, Senator (Prof) Ben Ayade, Governor of Cross River State, has ably and equitably distributed political appointments to cover all strata of the Cross River society and the APC would rely on these appointees as able hands to win the elections.
Adding that having assumed the image of a truly progressive party, its policies and programmes will permeate every nook and cranny of the state for better democratic results.
He praised the political sagacity of His Excellency, Prof Ben Ayade, for taking the state into national reckoning and assured all and sundry that the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state will not take anything for granted, adding that the party cannot afford to throw away the goodwill of the people.
On the introduction of more modern technology into the gamut of the electioneering process in Nigeria, Ambassador Soni Abang also noted that it is a good development as the outcome of the elections will reflect the wishes and aspirations of the people, urging all eligible voters to obtain their Permanent Voters Card which remains a portent political weapon.
He further declared that the introduction of BVAS by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is a welcome development as it has the potential of making votes count and diminishing public apathy in Nigerian elections.
Chief Soni Abang categorically stated that Cross River State is work in progress and that under an APC led administration in 2023 the progressive process will be consolidated, the great human and agricultural potentials of the state will be further enhanced for more productivity.
He also reiterated that all associations wishing to identify with the Senator (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu’s gubernatorial ambition has been seamlessly registered at the Party Headquarters in Calabar to enable them to join in the canvassing and solicitization for votes.
He assured the people of the state that all their interests and expectations will be met and that as the party begins the campaigns proper in September, no stone will be left unturned to ensure an all round APC victory in the state.