As the deadline for campaign by
political parties contesting the April elections draws nearer, most of
the presidential candidates are yet to campaign for votes in Cross
River State.
Apart from President Goodluck Jonathan
has held a rally in the state, others like: Ibrahim Shekarau of the
ANPP, Mohammadu Buhari of the CPC, Pat Utomi of the SDMP, Chris Okotie
of the FDP, Dele Momodu LP, among others, are known only through their
campaign posters.
Though more than half of the above
mentioned candidates had through their campaign coordinators in the
state promised to visit Cross River State, they did not live up to
their promises. This situation has made many to wonder if they are
serious.
Apart from not visiting the state, the
aspirants have no campaign offices in the state. Their campaign
coordinators operate from their private homes unlike the PDP
presidential candidate who has a sprawling office in a conspicuous area
in Calabar.
Like their presidential standard
bearers, candidates of opposition parties in the state too are missing
from the campaign turf few days to the commencement of the April
general elections, making the PDP to have a field day.
At best, candidates of the opposition have their posters plastered on every available surface in their constituencies.
However, in the absence of a formal
flag-off of campaign by each of the opposition parties in the state,
their candidates have embarked on individual campaigns to homes, market
squares, villages, schools, churches.
Waiting for Ribadu
Last Friday, the presidential candidate
of the ACN, Nuhu Ribadu was expected in Calabar for campaign but had to
call off the trip to enable him attend the presidential debate
organised by the Nigerian Election Group. The visit was re-scheduled
for Tuesday but he did not turn up in Calabar as announced.
Chairman of the ACN in the state,
Cletus Obun said it was not true that his party has not been
campaigning. “Electioneering campaign to me does not necessarily mean
going on a convoy of cars and making noise through groups of unemployed
women and youths. Campaign could be on individual basis or reaching out
with hand bills selling your manifestos. In our party, we are talking
to people reaching out to them with message of change. We target those
who will vote.
“The PDP may boast that it is ahead on
campaign but this is not true. Because it has the resources to throw
about, the PDP is seen making more noise. Politics is not all about
noise making. It is about knowing the needs of the people and telling
them how you can meet them,” he said.
He promised that his presidential
candidate will still make it to Calabar before April and assured all
ACN members that Mr Ribadu is going to come since he has a special
place for Cross River in his heart.
