16 January 2019
A coalition of support groups in the Central Senatorial District of Cross River State, COSUGS, on Saturday January 12, 2019 organized one of the largest political campaign rallies in Ikom, Cross River State to drum up support for Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the Senatorial District in the forthcoming 2019 general elections.
According to ViNE Media, the coalition made up of 15 different groups, with over 15,000 persons from different walks of life drawn from the six LGAs making up the Senatorial District, moved in a procession from the Federal Government College to the Government Secondary School (GOVISCO) both in Ikom, causing traffic hold up on the busy Calabar-Ikom Highway. At the GOVISCO premises, the various groups filed out in a march past displaying various posters, banners and T-shirts varying messages while singing passionately to declare support for Senator Ndoma-Egba.
The organizers were led by the Director General of COSUGS Hon. Lawrence Etta Takon, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart, Engr. Jerome Egbe, a former president of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and Mr. Ebarge Akunjom, a renown grassroots mobilizer. Members of the public and bystanders were not left out at the huge show of solidarity even by known members of the opposition PDP. It was indeed a symbolic display of non-partisan politics, wherein individuals and not political affiliations should be the main considerations during elections such as this.
The rally was a demonstration of the love and respect the people of Central Cross River have for Senator Ndoma-Egba and a huge vote of confidence in his experience, capacity, profile and personality, as well as his impressive record of past performances.
Speaking at the event, Hon. Lawrence Etta emphasized the significance of the event as a demonstration of acceptance of the candidacy and suitability of Senator Ndoma-Egba across party lines. He observed that the event was put together within a very short period, hence the inability of Senator Ndoma-Egba to attend in person, due to his very tight schedule. He, however extended the Senator’s deepest appreciation and thanked all groups leaders and their followers for their swift response to his clarion call. He added that their message of solidarity will be duly communicated to the former Senate Leader of the 7th Senate.
In a statement offered by one of the co-organizers, Mr. Jerome Egbe, he admonished supporters of the various groups to remain steadfast and committed to the cause of returning Ndoma-Egba back to the Senate for the benefit of not just Central but the entire Cross River State. He reminded all present of their firm resolve to peacefully turn out en masse on February 16, 2019 and vote for Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, President Buhari and all candidates of the APC. The various speakers re-echoed the same message of total support for Ndoma-Egba citing his sterling record of performance, experience, capacity and accommodating personality. A voice vote was taken to reinforce the resolution and it passed with a resounding “YES! Victor is THE ONE WE KNOW”.
The groups who form the coalition are Central Progressives Movement, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), National Association of Cross River States Students (NACRISS), Central Students Association (CENSSA), Central Strength for Ndoma-Egba, Forum of Past Leaders, Ikom Women in Politics, The Circuit Group, Abi Youth Movement, Central Youth Vanguard, Bendeghe Ekiem Students Association, APC Polling Unit Mobilizers, Nde Students Association World-wide, Central Senatorial District for Good Governance, Rural People Re-Orientation Forum.