Cross River CAN host gubernatorial candidates 5 days to elections
The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Cross River State has hosted eight gubernatorial candidates to a town hall meeting on Sunday, February 19, 2023, at the worship auditorium of Gold City Gospel church in Calabar Cross River State.
The keynote speaker and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) Bishop (Dr) Emmah Isong alongside the state CAN Chairman, Rev. Dr. Takis Caifas appealed to participants when elected to proffer real-time solutions to the multiple challenges impacting development in the state.
Referencing Acts 1:24 “And they prayed and said, thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether of these two thou hast chosen” called on the candidates to accept the will of God in the outcome of the election results as only God anoints people into offices against the will of men.
This effort coming barely five days before the presidential and National Assembly polls slated for Saturday, February 25, is meant to avoid chaos during the 2023 polls,
Outlining the rules of engagement the panelists led by the Chairman of the Cross River Union of Journalists, Mr. Nsa Gills asked the individual gubernatorial candidate to focus on what they would do for the people instead of making promises they would not fulfill.
The Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator (Prof.) Sandy Ojang Onor responding, vowed to implement and support Local Government autonomy if elected as the Governor of Cross River state has served as Executive Chairman of Etung Local Government Council and a national officer with the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON).
In their separate contributions at the parley attended by Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Pastor Usani Uguru Usani, governorship candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Dr. Wilfred Bonse, governorship candidate of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Mr. Patrick Solomon governorship candidate of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), Mr. Efa Nyong governorship candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mr. Joseph Coco-Bassey, governorship candidate of (YPP) and Mr. Effiom Okokon of Social Democratic Party all agreed to resuscitate moribund industries like the Tinapa Holiday Resort, Obudu Cattle Ranch among others.
Also, they promised to harness the rich agricultural resources of the state as well as encourage eco-tourism to enhance the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the State to wean the State from over-dependence on allocation from the federal government.
The Chairman, Planning Committee, and moderator of the program Rev. Father Emmanuel Duke commended the participants for honouring the invitation and prayed for God’s perfect will to prevail after the 2023 elections.
Fielding questions from newsmen after the meeting, Mr. Patrick Solomon (PATSOL), governorship candidate of NRM pledged if elected to proffer a solution to the lingering Calabar Sea Port dredging by pushing for a technical solution to it and attract direct foreign investors (FDI) to boost the economy of the state. In addition, he promised to accord traditional rulers due recognition with a view to curbing crime in society.
By: Archibong Emmanuel
(Snr. Reporter)
