By Ebriku John Friday, Abuja
Ahead of the 2019 general election, Advocacy for Good Governance Group in conjunction with Senator Dr Rose Oko Integrity Group on Wednesday endorsed Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade and Senator Rose Oko to run for second term in office as governor and senator respectively.
Ayade, who is commonly known as digital Governor is still serving his first, while Senator Rose is currently the female senator representing Cross River Northern Senatorial District in the Senate and the chairman, Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisation (NGOs).
The endorsement, which was done at a one-day solidarity and sensitisation programme by the groups took place at Igoli in Ogoja Local Government Area of Cross River State with coordinators and members across the five LGAs in the north.
According to the resolution of the groups, their decision to endorse the two leaders from Cross River North was based on the outcome of their assessment of the responsive and pragmatic leadership of the duo as well as their performance and laudable achievements in their first term in office, which they said has impacted positively in the well being of the citizens of the state and senatorial district.
Speaking on the import of the event, leader of the organizers and senior special assistant to the governor on youth affairs, Hon. Paul Ajie Abang said, “Our digital governor, Senator Prof. Ben Ayade, as our own has proved beyond reasonable doubt that he is the right man for the job. We will give him 200% of our support come 2019,particularly for bringing youths into governance,his industrialisation policy as well as regular payment of workers salaries.
“Also our distinguished senator, Dr Rose Oko, has proved that what a man can do a woman can do better. She is a rare gem and a blessing to us in Cross River North. We pledge our unalloyed support for her in 2019. As you can see all the local government are represented here.”
The event witnessed a huge turn out of notable grassroots political leaders and youths from across the five local government areas of the northern senatorial district of the state.
The occasion also availed the coordinators the opportunity of highlighting the achievements of the senator within this two and half years in office which include: provision of 8 classroom blocks, free medical outreach, provision of text books, science equipment, school desks as well attracting some federal employments to some of her constituents.