2023: Cross River needs a courageous leader – PDP Guber Candidate
The Cross River State 2023 Governorship candidate under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, platform, Senator Sandy Onor, says the way Cross River stands now the state needs a man with a bold mind to remould the state back to its original status.
Senator Onor made the remarks on Friday at the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ernest Etim Bassey Press Centre, Calabar as he rounds off his thank you visit to all 18 local government Areas of the state as he goes around to canvass for votes in the March governorship election.
He said, “The way Cross River stands now, the state needs a man with a bold mind to mould back the state to its original status”
Among other things, Senator Onor said, “This phase of the campaign tour which ended on January 25, 2023, was very revealing. For the first time, our fathers came out bold and courageous to cry out about their plight. From Obudu, the home of the Governor, Senator Ben Ayade, we all felt like weeping, as the traditional rulers and the masses spoke about the decay in our state”
“I must say that the experience has confirmed our worst fears about the gravity of neglect that our people have suffered at the hands of the APC government.
We say very terrible roads, especially in the North, where Ayade comes from. We are getting to the end of this suffering and neglect.
When we get into the office on May 29th this year, we will by the grace of the Almighty, change the narrative for good” Senator Onor promised.
On the controversy surrounding the BIVAS machines, Senator Onor, said, “Let me touch on the recent controversy surrounding BIVAS machines in our state.
We all are aware of the report indicating that the state government has some BIVAS machines in its possession. We are also aware that INEC has denied any connivance as its machines have not left their place of custody.
He said IPAC had maintained that it was not carried when INEC and the security forces in the state moved in to confirm that no BIVAS was tempered with” In the same vein, IPAC has insisted that, they were stopped from participating in the verification exercise”
“We, therefore, call on the INEC and security agencies to allow IPAC to participate in the authenticity of their pronouncement on the BIVAS. Stressing that the main purpose is to build confidence”.
Opined that, “This is important because confidence-building is very critical in election management, particularly before, and after the elections”
Senator Onor also use the chance to reel out his plans for Cross River State if elected in the governorship election. According to his blueprint, Senator Onor said he will specifically focus on three key areas of the economy to include:
Economic Development: He said in this area, the government is desirous of boosting our economic growth to an appreciable index.
Therefore we intend to leverage the key economic resource areas where the state enjoys a comparative advantage in the areas of Tourism, Agriculture, Solid Minerals and Mining, as well as Oil and Gas Exploration.
Infrastructural Development: He said, “Focus will be to support the development of the key economic resource areas with particular emphasis on rural development, he said the achievement will be based on Urban Renewal; Adequate; Energy Improvement.
On Human Development: He said, interest shall be particularly in the following areas, which are, Women and Youth Development; Education; Health; Social Welfare Services as well as Security”
