Barely 48 hours after
the adoption of Cross River State governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, by the 18 chapter
chairmen of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the state Chairman of the party,
Chief Ikpi Eni has affirmed that the party has indeed adopted the governor as
its candidate in Saturday’s election.
According to Eni, the adoption is in line with the decision
of the state Executive Council of the party as well as the National Working
Committee.
“The decision to adopt Governor Ayade is authentic. And
I am also confirming that it was an act of a resolution we had arrived at as a
party to adopt the governor,” Ekpo clarified.
Justifying the action of the party to adopt Governor Ayade,
the state SDP Chair said: “From what we have seen so far, there is
nothing sufficient to indicate the seriousness and preparedness of the SDP
governorship candidate for the March 9 election.
“Despite my repeated demand of his blueprint from his
campaign organization, there is nothing to convince us that our party in the
state is ready for the election.”
Eni further said the achievements of Governor Ayade was clear
to everyone in the state that he deserves a second term, adding that “SDP
can only encourage and be part of the generality of Cross Riverians to support
his second term bid. And that was contained in our collective action as the
state Executive Council to adopt him to run for a second term. The decision is
total and collective.”