By Magnus Effiong, Calabar
Chief Victor Effiom Ekpo, an aspirant for Cross River South sentotial seat, has informed leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State and indeed all his admirers and supporters that he remained the only aspirant, amongst the lot, to win for the APC next year election to represent the senatorial zone.
He said this in Calabar, Tuesday, while consulting the APC State Working Committee members on his readiness to square it up with whosoever opposition parties would present as candidates.
Insisting that he has “excess capacity” to represent his people in the Red Chamber, Ekpo appealed to the party to ensure a level playing ground during next month’s primaries.
Speaking on his blueprint for the senatirial zone, Chief Ekpo said “I will look into unsettled issue if Bakassi and ensure the traumatised people are properly resettled.
“I will also come up with a bill that will promote agriculture, ensure sustainable education as well as empowerment of our young people. We will be having town hall meetings quarterly so that I can listen to my people and then take their plight to the Senate.”
He accused the PDP Senators from the three Senatoria districts of antagonizing the State government.
“We have been having issues of the three senators working against the executive in Cross River State and that delays development and progress in the State.
“For instance, instead of the Senator we have in the South to see how he could listen to the plights of the people, the senator is busy fighting the executive – the government. So I want to occupy the seat so I can work closely with the executive.
“I talked about having town hall meetings and as you know, the theme of my campaign is; ‘Transformation Agenda.’ We are going to transform Cross River South with a comely representation.
“I have a strong capacity to lobby, it is not about only just passing bills, I will embark upon lobby with the executive in mind too to bring dividends of democracy to our people.”
Also speaking, Hon Stella Odey-Ekpo, wife of the aspirant, described her husband as the best man for the job, saying Chief Ekpo has the unparalleled passion for his people and would ensure he adds meaning to the lives of the people of Cross River South.
In his response, the state Deputy Chairman, Mr Eka Williams, lauded Chief Ekpo for his bold steps and assured him of the party’s detemination to ensure a fair play during the primaries.
Williams charged the Senatorial aspirant to ensure he does his home work well and advised him to go back to the grassroots since the “the powers belong to the people.”
