Former Lawmaker Urges C’River APC to Elect Competent Governorship Candidate

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2019 election, Senator John Owan-Enoh has urged the party to ensure its gubernatorial flagbearer has the capacity and competence to secure victory come 2023.
Senator Owan-Enoh, who also represented the central senatorial district from 2015 to 2019, made the call at the APC secretariat in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, south-south Nigeria during his expression of interest to contest the 2023 governorship elections.
The former lawmaker said that it was imperative for the APC to present a strong candidate with the pedigree to withstand the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP during the general election.
Expression of interest
Owan-Eno, a former House of Representative and Cross River State House of Assembly member said, “in 2023, we should ask ourselves who it is that the PDP does not want to see with the APC ticket. I believe I am the candidate that the PDP does not want to see on the APC ticket.
“That is the way I play my politics, I connect with everyone. I have the energy; I have the passion for this game. I come to offer myself and to say that I am interested in running for the governorship of 2023 under the platform of the APC.
“I urge the party to look at all of us even if you hate John Owan-Enoh, please like him for the sake of the interest of our party. Take note that 2023 governorship elections will be duly contested for in Cross River.
“We have an opposition party that has men, materials and resources to match us at every step that we take. Our ability to win is going to depend on the competitive edge we will provide for the electorate,” he stated.
Careful examination
The former gubernatorial candidate further said, “if incidentally the INEC –Independent National Electoral Commission – calendar plays out, the candidate we are going to produce is a candidate for the next 8 months. He or she is going to be tested and scrutinized inside out and all over and across the state.
“So, let us avoid a candidate with a bad edge. I say these things because I imagine what is going to happen. Remember that before the governor’s defection, all the top ranking members of the national assembly members from Cross River are currently in the PDP and amongst these we have people doing third term, fourth and fifth terms and are masters of the game of politics and some of our supporters here are beholden to them,” Owan-Enoh cautioned.
He further urged the state party leadership “not to take chances. Let us look for a candidate that stretches acceptability and competitiveness across the state. When I did not win in 2019, I did not go to sleep.
“I have the passion for leadership and success in this politics. I am not coming to scatter, but to consolidate on our achievements that of Donald Duke, Liyel Imoke and Professor Ben Ayade for the benefit of our people,” the aspirant assured.
Open primaries
Responding, the deputy party chairman, Mr. Eka Williams assured the aspirants of the party’s acceptance of persons expressing interest to contest for all elective positions.
Williams reiterated the recent decision of the party to conduct open primaries for the governorship flagbearer and other positions on its platform.
The Senator is expected to formally declare his intentions to contend for the 2023 Cross River State governorship seat at Ogoja township stadium, Ogoja local government area, in the northern senatorial district shortly after a thanksgiving mass Sunday.
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Picture caption

1. Governorship aspirant, Senator John Owan-Enoh addressing the state executive members at the APC secretariat in Calabar.
2. Senator John Owan-Enoh in a handshake with state party executive in Calabar.
3. Senator John Owan-Enoh, governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress APC.