Cross River Senatorial District Holds Rally For Imoke
CALABAR, June 24, (THEWILL) - Thousands of people from the Southern Senatorial District of Cross River State, Wednesday, defied the heavy rainfall to show appreciation and pray for the good health of Governor Liyel Imoke in a solidarity rally.
Addressing the rally on the lawn of Governor’s Office, Calabar, Imoke said he was shocked and overwhelmed by the turn out which included people from all walks of life as well as political stalwarts, adding that he was excited because their action was spontaneous as those who initiated the rally kept pushing it despite his attempt to shift it.
Imoke lamented that the previous leaders of the state were divided along ethnic lines which was disturbing and he and his friends came into politics because they had passion for Cross River and its people and could not understand why they could not be as one person, adding that it was wrong to think that an Efik could not be the Governor of the State for any reason.
According to him "no one who is a citizen of Cross River can be denied the opportunity of being the governor of the State", that was why they decided to challenge the establishment to change the system by removing ethnicity and with the support of the people they succeeded in electing a governor from the Southern Senatorial District, a feat people thought was impossible.
He disclosed that being a governor was not his vision and as he was planning for another person to be governor, it was God’s plan that he should be governor and that the challenge is to impact on the lives of the people as eleven years of democracy has brought tremendous change to the state, adding that PDP has no excuse not to deliver dividends of democracy even at the local government levels.
Imoke said government will continue to invest more in Calabar because it is the show case of Cross River as he believes strongly in the unity of the people with its focus on peace and development while pledging total support to the people of the Southern Senatorial District of the State, stressing that he shares their aspiration, and vision and would work with them to achieve success.
The Governor thanked them for the solidarity and support which he said was fantastic and added that PDP can not be weakened in Cross River because it is getting stronger as all have seen the light.
He said with its connection to the centre, payment of the State’s debts has been rescheduled because the game has to be played for the benefit of the people, stating that the journey has started and that one is not fully strengthened until he starts running which means they have cause to celebrate.
On the forth coming election, he noted that PDP in Cross River is a popular party which does not engage in rigging and manipulation but hard work and delivery of dividend of democracy and as such will win at all levels, adding that as the party moves forward the people should be steadfast and be committed as it intends to accommodate all as well as ensure there is peace in the land.
The Governor remarked that Cross River must be the most beautiful and attractive in Nigeria with peace and the people working together to achieve its vision, adding that when Calabar and the whole Southern Senatorial District is blessed, the whole of Cross River and Nigeria will be blessed.
Senator (Mrs.) Florence Ita-Giwa, Southern Senatorial District Caucus leader in a solidarity message, said they had to carry out the rally after due consultation with the political leaders, leaders of thought, royal fathers, women and the youth to thank God for Imoke’s life while reaffirming their confidence in his leadership and acknowledged his laudable programmes and policies which have brought stability to the state and also impacted positively on their lives.
According to the people, they appreciated his accessibility to the people, his quiet and calm but determined and untiring efforts in confronting the challenges facing Cross Riverians, adding that "we also appreciate the love and support you have shown over time to the people of Southern Senatorial District and since we are not an ungrateful people, we are obliged to reciprocate".
They congratulated him on all his achievements as their leader and assured him of their unwavering support always and to follow him all the way.
Ntufam Ekpo Okon State Chairman of PDP in an introductory remark said they voluntarily came out to express their support as they were not ungrateful in anyway and will stand behind the governor because they have a lot to show as dividends of democracy and good governance.
Okon called on the Governor to count on them as God will protect him because he has a purpose.
Senator Bassey Ewa Henshaw representing the Southern Senatorial District said they decided to show commitment and love to Imoke and the rally afforded them opportunity to make facts known, adding that the governor has handled the loss of 76% oil wells which has reduced the states revenue by 60%, resettlement of Bakassi returnees with tact and his commitment for development with less than 40% of the original revenue.
Henshaw commended the Governor’s wife, Obioma, whom he described as a prayerful woman and a great asset any man can have.
Elder (Mrs.) Minika James, a community leader said the rally which people defied the rain to attend, was devoid of politics as people from all walks of life participated, stressing that it was in appreciation of what　 the Governor has done for the people of the Southern Senatorial District.