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By Akpan David, Calabar
A former aide to President Muhammadu Buhari, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla has given indication that the ruling party has greater vote potentials in the northern part of Cross River State.
He said in a statement that due to the popularity of the running mate, Peter Odey who is currently the majority leader in the State House of Assembly, and marginalisation of his people for so long, he will become the defining factor in the governorship election of 11 March 2023 in the state
Peter Odey is the running mate to Prince Bassey Otu, the APC governorship Flagbearer for the said election. He hails from Mbube in Ogoja LGA.
Obono-Obla claimed that Odey is more popular in the Ogoja LGA and surrounding LGAs of the northern senatorial District than the opposition candidate.
“Odey will hold and swing votes in Ogoja in APC’s favour. The people of Mbube will troop in their thousands to vote for their son because they have been so marginalized in the politics of who gets what when and how in the Cross River North.
“For a variety of factors, both Odey who is a young, urbane and consummate parliamentarian, and Prince Otu are perceived as the consensus gubernatorial candidates by majority of the people of the State.
“Pundits think that the duo is a perfect match and complements the strengths and weaknesses of each other. They are certainly the candidates to beat in the Cross River State governorship election.”
Obono-Obla issued a statement in Calabar, calling on voters not to vote for politicians who have authoritarian tendencies.
He said many politicians today lack clear understanding and appreciation of what democracy really is.
“Our people must reject imperialistic and hegemonistic politicians and leaders who have the mindset of authoritarian but are masked themselves as democrats.
“They are nothing but pseudo-democrats or crass opportunists whose understanding and appreciation of the leadership, democratic ethos, values, and principles are next to nothing.”
He contended that some of these leaders were foisted on the people from the inception of democratic civil rule till this moment.
