By Magnus Effiong, Calabar
Four governorship candidates, who interfaced with Journalists during the Media Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Cross River State Council, have said their main mission is to turnaround the economy of the State.
The candidates spoke at the NUJ Press Centre, Calabar, Thursday, during the interface, tagged “Governance Under Your Watch.’
They were the governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Sandy Onor and the candidate of the People’s Redemption Party, (PRP), Pastor Usani Usani. Ohers were the candidate of the Labour Party, Patriarch Ogar Osim, as well as the deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Hon Peter Odey who stood in for the party’s governorship candidate, Sen Bassey Otu.
Speaking on his agenda, Professor Sandy Onor of the PDP, said the State was stagnated socio-economically and that only a leader with listening ears, competence and exposure to dynamics of world economy and politics would deliver the State from backward steps it was taking..
“We are no more proud of Cross River state. At this point of our history, we need a right leader with a right attitude, exposure and intellectual sagacity to lead us out of the woods. I will come back with my manifestoes,” he submitted.
PastorUsani of the ARP and former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, in his remarks, said his previous experience and performances in government have proven his capability to take the State to another level.
He promised to appoint a pension earner to manage the pension bureau and also establish tenant farms so that those who don’t have access to land can access it.
On his part, Peter Odey of the APC said the next administration, to be led by his party again, would consolidate on the gains of the present government, explaining that with a little push on the multiple agro industries established by the current administration, Cross River was good to go..
Odey said the APC agenda would centre around what he described as the three Es which are Employment, Empowerment and Emancipation.
Also speaking, Patriarch Ogar Osim of the Labour Party said “the issue of governance and leadership is more spiritual than political, and as. Patriarch in my Church, I believe I have built enough spiritual capacity to change the fortunes of Cross River State
“We have a campaign slogan which says ‘we are all we need to live well and we are better together.’ With this, we shall revamp the economy together and change the odd story of our people,’ he stated.
