By Magnus Effiong
The Committee screening aspirants for the forthcoming primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Cross River State House of Assembly, Monday, screened the former Chairman of Calabar South local government council, Rt Hon (Mrs) Majorie Asuquo, to take part in the proposed APC primaries.
Our reporter, who monitored the exercise at the party secretariat said the rigorous screening, which started on Sunday afternoon, witnessed a crowd of aspirants seeking to convince the committee members on why they should take part in the next hurdle, the primaries, before the general elections early next year.
Sources close to the committee told Pillar Today that the committee members were satisfied with what the former Calabar South Council boss presented, her comportment and display of maturity despite the pressure of having to wait for the screening for many hours.
Meanwhile, a cross section of Calabar South residents, especially women, have called on the authorities to do everything possible to ensure Mrs Asuquo emerges the candidate for the coveted Calabar South Constituency 2 seat for the good of the constituents.
In an interview, a resident, Mrs Efioanwan Ekpenyong, who claimed to speak the minds of many residents of Calabar South, described Rt Hon Mrs Asuquo as the best person to represent the Constituency 2 people.
“I say so because of her disposition as a mother, a philanthropist and administrator par excellent. She displayed these qualities when she held sway as Chairman of Council.
“Her doors were always open and she even empowered market women with funds to enhance their small businesses,” she stated.
Corroborating, another resident, Ita Bassey, said Mrs Asuquo’s past record in office indicated she has the capacity to represent her people well and therefore sought the support of every Calabar South person for the success of what he described as ‘the Majorie Asuquo Project.’
Also speaking, another resident, Mrs Janet Archibong, called on the party leadership to give Rt Hon Asuquo every form of support and encouragement, saying the acclaimed affirmative action that women are agitating for should be made to become a reality.
“Rt Hon Majorie Asuquo should be supported and encouraged. No woman has ever represented us in the House of Assembly since the creation of Calabar South and we want her there. This is our chance as women and no one should please take it away from us.
“I appeal to our leaders not to buy into any form of sentiment, lies and propaganda her opponents and detractors may bring up against her. We, the people on ground need her in the State House of Assembly.
“While she was Chairman of Council, the Deputy Governor who visited the Council at that period said she was the best among her equals in terms of performance and human management. I vouch that Majorie will surprise her opponents and even the party,” Mrs Archibong submitted.
