Some traditional rulers are already drumming up support for a second term bid for the governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade.
The monarchs are the paramount ruler of Yala, Ogamode Onah Ipuole, and Chief Oshie Osang of Katabang in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The two pledged to give all the necessary support to the governor to make a second term bid a reality.
The paramount ruler of Yala, made the pledge at his palace when he hosted the state Commissioner for Works, Dane Osim- Asu.
Asu led a team on an inspection of the Mfon- Okuku- Bekwarra- Obudu ranch dual carriage road under construction.
His words: “Yala people are appreciative of the governor, we are happy and I will go out too and campaign for him to remain and complete all the projects he has started for the good of this state.”
He stressed that the construction of the 147-kilometre road would create employment opportunities for the citizenry, aid locals access to the markets and link the five local government areas in the northern senatorial district of the state.
The people of Katabang also expressed happiness over the construction of the road.
“This place that has been turned to a road today was a bush track accessed only by hunters. We never believed we will see what a road looks like in this community until the intervention of our governor today. We pray that Ayade will come to stay and make this project come to reality,” the village head, Oshie Osang Katabang said.
He added that the community would continue to vote for Ayade.
“For this intervention, we will continue to vote and vote for Ayade until he is tired. If anyone stands in his way, we will not hesitate to invoke the gods of this land on the person and his family,” he stated.
Other members of the community also spoke about their support for the governor.
Thompson Arahson Asu said, “it is now that we have a governor with a human heart, intervening where others failed and never cared. Before now, we carry our agricultural products on our head to Ikom-Obudu Road in order to get to the nearest market. We are predominantly farmers and you know what that means, going through bush tracks, crossing streams and rivers with loads.”
Asu rhetorically asked: “Tell me if you are the one, will you vote for one who doesn’t feel your pathetic condition and not rather support a governor with a heart of gold? We will give him all the necessary support to make sure he continues, and we will never stop until he asks us to stop voting for him and in that case, he will tell us why we must not appreciate his good works.”
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Ihort Achu expressed appreciation of the enthusiasm displayed over the activities of the governor.
“I understand the excitement because I was here when it was a footpath and I had to climb a bike; they were riding on top of rocks; the women carrying foodstuff to the highway to sell in distant places. I am feeling guilty now because we used to price and ask them to bring down their prices.
“If you come in here and any of the community members gives you something to buy, you shouldn’t price because the terrain is a difficult one. This access road into the hinterland is an achievement to the government, not just the governor as it is clear it will stand the test of time.”
Briefing reporters, the Commissioner for Works said: “The driving force for embarking on the road was the governor, Prof Ben Ayade, who is unrelenting and ever determined to provide succour in terms of road infrastructure for the citizenry.”
While pointing out that drainages and culverts were all encapsulated in the design, he urged the people of Katabang not to build close to the road as the road required a right of way to add beauty to the design.
Osim-Asu also inspected the Arthur Jarvis University Road at Akpabuyo; Mbobui Road in Akamkpa; Usung Esuk Road in Odukpani; Ugbem- Itono Road in Biase, Prof Ayade Road in Yarkurr, Kakum Road in Obudu and the Ovukwa community road terminating at Okang River in Obubra.
