Politics
2023: Why C’River Electorate Are Rooting For PDP Guber Candidate – Groups
Ahead of the 2023 gubernatorial election in Cross River State, some prominent socio-political groups have observed that the growing acceptance of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) , Senator Sandy Onor, by voters in the state is as a result of his leadership track record and grassroots political ideologies.
While declaring support for the governorship aspiration of Senator Sandy who currently represents Cross River Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, the groups noted that support for his candidature had continued to swell, despite being in the opposition party in the state, because of the belief amongst the electorate that he’ll put an end to the long suffering of the masses.
Addressing newsmen separately, the groups made up various coalitions noted that voters in the state had decided not to vote along ethnic lines but rather focus on the leadership antecedents of the various candidates aspiring for various positions, especially the governorship.
Reeling out Sandy’s leadership qualities, including his achievements at the Senate, a group known as “Peaceful Ladies” declared total support and commitment to the governorship aspiration of the Cross River Senator.
The Group’s coordinator, Ms. Janet Uchebo, said that they had resolved to align with Senator Sandy to reclaim the lost glory of the state.
The group stated this over the weekend during a courtesy call by its executives to the Office of the Director General of the “Caterpillar Movement”, Chief Joe Obi Bisong located at No. 143 Ndidem Usang Iso Road, Calabar.
Harping on Sandy’s accomplishments, the group vowed to ensure his emergence as Governor of the state, reiterating that “it is very necessary for us to rise to the challenge of the moment by declaring our unalloyed support, cooperation and commitment to the process that would lead to Senator Onor’s emergence as Governor of Cross River State come 2023.
“It’s now glaring and obvious to Cross Riverians that the change they yearn for is here, Senator (Prof) Sandy Ojang Onor (Original Caterpillar), the PDP Governorship hopeful and candidate of Cross River State in the upcoming 2023 elections is contesting the 2023 Governorship election in order to add value, end godfatherism and make a difference in Cross River State that has long suffered poor Governance by the incumbent governor of the state” , the group stated.
In a similar vein, another group known as Cross River Youth Vanguard, which comprises youth entrepreneurs, on Saturday, endorsed the Governorship aspiration of Sandy Onor.
Giving reasons for their endorsement, the Group’s leader, Comrade Amaechi Victor, berated the incumbent governor, Ben Ayade of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), noting that his performance was below the expectations of Crossriverians.
According to Amaechi, the victory of Sandy Onor will reposition Cross River State and return it to the path of peace, security, socioeconomic development and sustainable empowerment of people.
Amaechi, in a statement after the group’s Congress held in Calabar, explained that the sterling performance of Senator Sandy had proven that he would develop the state in the aspects of education, healthcare, roads, employment, infrastructure, environment, youth empowerment and agricultural development.
He urged voters to stop lamenting on what he described as the misgovernance of the incumbent government but rally round Senator Onor who is in the race because he has a lot to offer the people of Cross River State.
“The task before Cross Riverians is to come out en masse and liberate Cross River State from the hands of political godfathers and scavengers that have sworn to keep Cross River State undeveloped and highly mis governed. Let’s stop lamenting on the imperfections in our state but find the courage to collectively stand up and be counted in our determination to reposition Cross River State to be the giant that will provide prosperity for all of us and put us in the path of sustainable growth and development”, he said.
Responding, Chief Obi Bisong thanked the group for the visit and declaration of support as he also assured the group of a new and better Cross River State.
Claiming that elections in the country are typically characterized by vote buying, Mr Nwosu said a repeat of such phenomenon would taint the credibility of the forthcoming gubernatorial poll.
Mr Nwosu is among the 16 governorship candidates listed by INEC in a June 4, 2025 statement to participate in the November 8, 2025 election in Anambra State.
His party, the ADC, will battle it out with other parties to unseat incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Mr Nwosu, in a statement on Saturday, said it was baffling seeing voters openly selling their votes to party agents and other representatives around polling units on election day.
According to him, “such practices not only derail the true will of the people but also reduce elections to an auction, where the state is effectively handed over to the highest bidder.”
Mr Nwosu urged INEC to introduce secure voting cubicles that would safeguard the legitimate rights of voters and uphold the sovereignty of democracy.
“INEC must provide secure voting cubicles to ensure ballots remain private and secret. Currently, many polling areas are too exposed, allowing others to see the voting process. This not only encourages vote buying but also undermines the integrity of the elections.
“Voting must remain secret. Nigeria already has strong electoral laws which, if properly enforced, can deliver outcomes that truly benefit society”, Mr Nwosu said.
He held that the Anambra governorship election was another opportunity for INEC to secure the trust of Nigerians about its commitment to transparency and fairness during polls.
He also noted the role of security agencies in tackling the menace of vote buying on the day of election.
He said, “The success of any political activity depends largely on security, because security is key. While it is not solely INEC’s duty to ensure elections are properly conducted, the Commission must create an enabling environment that allows citizens to participate freely, conduct themselves properly, and exercise their right to vote.”
The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, called on the relevant security agencies to investigate the attackers and their sponsors.
“The Labour Party is perplexed by the physical attack on our National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, by agents suspected to be working for anti-democratic elements who have tried unsuccessfully to wrestle the leadership of the party from him.
“Few hours ago, a prominent member of a known political family, Ms Precious Oruche, alias ‘Mama P’, accosted Barrister Abure while on a queue at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Abuja, boarding a Max Air flight en route to Benin, and attacked the Labour Party’s National Chairman unprovoked.
“The attacker, Madam P, who is also a known content creator, continued the attack all through the duration of the flight, defying all attempts by the Max Air flight attendants to calm her.
“The assault, which attracted a large population of onlookers, continued unabated on disembarkment at the Benin Airport while she continued recording the scene.
“It took the intervention of the security agents on hand to whisk Abure to safety while the attacker was handed over to the police for questioning.
“In one of her films released, the lady, who is a prominent member of the ‘Obidient’ and claimed that she has contacts with the highest police hierarchy, boasted that nothing will happen to her.
“She vowed that she will not stop attacking Abure or any member of the Labour Party executive because, according to her, ‘you have killed Labour Party and you are the reason why Obi is no longer in the Labour Party.’
“The leadership of the Labour Party is completely troubled with this cyber-bullying and the consequences of the action of this political agent on the party. We are by this statement calling on the Inspector General of Police to thoroughly investigate this suicidal aggression against the leadership of the Labour Party and Barrister Julius Abure in particular.
“We sincerely believe that the lady-agent was on an assignment to accomplish the desires of her paymasters. Assault and cyber-bullying are severe crimes under our laws and we think that the Police must fish out her sponsors and cohorts, and bring them to book.
“We are calling on the members of the Labour Party to be calm, even in the face of this unwarranted provocation and wait for the outcome of the investigation on the unprovoked attack against the leadership of the party,” the statement read.
Speaking during the party’s congress in Yola, the state capital, on Saturday, Mr David Lorhenba, the chairman, Adamawa Congress Committee, described the exercise as hitch-free.
He said that a total of 2,656 delegates from 21 local government areas came out and elected 39 officials.
Mr Lorhenba commended the delegates for conducting themselves in an orderly manner.
“The conduct of the congress is very successful, all the delegates come from 21 Local Government Areas and cast their votes peacefully.
“We have a total of 2,656 delegates and we have announced the winners very successfully”, he said.
In his remarks, Alhaji Attahiru Shehu, the outgoing chairman, congratulated the new executives and charged them to continue on what they have already done for the party to remain strong.
According to him, they started as opposition in the state and produced Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri who is serving his second term, opining they “he has done well for the state.”
In his acceptance speech, Mr Madagali thanked the delegates for the confidence they reposed in him.
He promised to run an open door policy in manning the affairs of the party.
“Let us continue the legacy of good governance and prepare ahead for 2027 with focus, discipline and unity.
“To those outside our party, especially the youths and women of Adamawa, we invite you into our party.
“PDP is your home. Our doors are open to all who wish to contribute positively to the development of our state.
“Our party will continue to be a shining example of people-focused on leadership,” he said.
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