February 14, (THEWILL) – The absence of certain stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State, has overshadowed the presidential rally of the party’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in Calabar.
Stakeholders of the party, led by its Gubernatorial Candidate, Professor Sandy Onor, were notably absent from the rally.
Others include the party’s executive, the State Chairman, Venatius Ikem, among other candidates of the party for various elective positions.
The 16,000 capacity UJ Esuene Stadium, venue for the rally, was barely filled up.
Their absence stems from the ongoing dispute within the party, with five governors, led by the River’s state governor, Nyesom Wike.
The five governors are demanding the resignation of the party chairman, Iyorcha Ayu, in line with an agreement reached among stakeholders of the party.
The governors are faulting the present arrangement in the party, where its presidential candidate and the national chairman are from the same region, North.
Meanwhile, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has promised to prioritise the development of the Calabar Port.
He made this known during the presidential rally in Calabar.
He said when the port is properly developed, the Eastern flank of the country will be served, employments will be created and it will be a golden opportunity for the people of the state.
“If you open up the Calabar port, the Eastern flank of Nigeria will be served by the Calabar port and that will be massive business and employment for people in this part of the country.
“Developing the Calabar port will be a golden opportunity for the state and if you vote PDP we will implement this project which has been grounded by the APC”, he said.
He added that his policy of restructuring the country is another very important policy, when implemented, will help you hold your leaders accountable at the local level.
Speaking earlier in a town hall engagement with women in the state, the wife of the presidential candidate of the PDP, Hajiya Titi Abubakar, advised the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), to pack their bags and go because of the suffering meted out to the people.
She said her husband has come to unify the country and promised to end all the challenges the women are facing.
The town hall engagement was organised to create awareness of the SHE campaign of Hajiya Titi Abubakar.
The campaign is the women aspect of Atiku Abubakar’s Covenant with Nigeria agenda and is centred around security, health and education.
THEWILL Correspondent, Aniekan Bassey has over six years experience that spans across several fields in print journalism including development communication, sexual reproductive and health rights issues, crime, climate change, social justice, business and human interest stories.
