As the race for who emerges the governorship and deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) gathers momentum, sources have informed GRASSROOT REPORTERS that the party may have settled for the former senator representing Cross River Central, Senator John Owan-Enoh as the deputy governorship candidate of the party for next year's election.
It would be recalled that the party had chosen Senator Bassey Otu as it consensus candidate for the governorship ahead 16 other aspirants.
Although some of the aspirants declared their support for Senator Otu, Senator Owan-Enoh, Chief Chris Agara and Pastor Usani Usani rejected the arrangement.
While Chief Agara and Senator Enoh went ahead to purchase the party's nomination form, Pastor Usani defected to the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).
Informed sources confided in GRASSROOT REPORTERS that in order for the APC to win the Central Senatorial District, the party reasoned that giving Senator Enoh the deputy governorship ticket would boost its chances of garnering massive support from that axis.
The sources said the former lawmaker allegedly accepted to step down for Senator Otu and take up the offer of being his deputy after a meeting which held today at Jorany Hotel, Calabar.
Senator Enoh issued a statement announcing his withdrawal from the race and his support for Senator Otu's candidacy.
The statement read in full:
AS THE CURTAIN FALLS ON OUR GOVERNORSHIP ASPIRATION, LET'S THROW OUR SUPPORT BEHIND THE CONSENSUS CANDIDACY OF SEN (PRINCE) BASSEY OTU WHILE KEEPING HOPE ALIVE.
My dear friends, supporters and compatriot, I come to you today with humility and a grateful heart for your unalloyed aupport in the vision for a prosperous Cross River State in which all of us will fourth. Your support which I will never take for granted is the reason for the strength of our campaign.
Today, I am saddled with the onerous responsibility of conveying to you, my decision to suspend our campaign for the Governorship of Cross River State on the platform of our great party, the All Progressive's Congress (APC). After some deep reflection in addition to consultation, I have taken the decision to yield to the consensus arrangement of our great party in the firm belief in the supremacy of our party.
I do this for the sake of the unity of our platform and my support for the leadership of our party under HE Gov. Ayade.
No matter how profound our vision is, no matter how brightly the light of hope burns in out hearts, as loyal party men and women, the supremacy of the party is sacrosanct at all times.
And so It is in full compliance and obedience to the decision of our party as well as your understanding that I suspend this campaign.
Let it be noted that this suspension is with immediate effect.
Although the decision was not an easy one especially when I take into consideration the overwhelming support my candidacy and aspiration enjoyed across the state, it is in the human nature for every engagement no matter how productive, enriching and rewarding to come to this point.
It is therefore in this spirit that I urge you to throw your weight and support behind Sen. Bassey Otu, the consensus choice of our party.
Having closely associated with him over the years, I have no doubt in his ability to deliver the dividends of democracy to our people. He's no bad choice afterall! Indeed, he's not!!!
This by no means is not the end of our extraordinary political journey together. Since my political odyssey started over two decade ago, my actions at all times have been shaped by the undying seal and determination to serve our people to the best of my ability, It is this vision that influenced my decision to offer myself to serve the state as governor in 2019 and in the upcoming governorship election in 2023, which we now have cause to suspend.
My dear compatriots, while today's political arrangement does not favour us in terms of what we desires, we should not lose hope in a tomorrow in which our determination to offer selfless service to our people finally becomes a reality. As long as the good Lord keeps us alive and in good health, our shared dream of a Cross River State that works for all will never die
Once again, I thank you.
May God Bless Cross River State,
May God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria
John Owan Enoh
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