By Takim Joseph
Akin Ricketts, Cross River Central Senatorial aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC) has vehemently rejected claims making the rounds that President Muhammadu Buhari has anointed a highly placed chieftain of the party from the area as Central Senatorial Candidate to fly the APC flag in the forthcoming 2019 General Elections.
Ricketts, who made the clarification while fielding questions from Journalists after a consultative meeting with APC members and his supporters in Obubra Local Government Area of the State said “the President Buhari that I know as a father or leader of our great party cannot take such a blanket decision without considering the yearnings and aspirations of the people of Central Senatorial District” adding, “our party is committed to providing a level playing ground for all aspirants to test their acceptability by their people” he averred, adding that the claim that President Buhari took the decision because APC has zoned the position of Senate Presidency to Cross River Central Senatorial District is untrue and merely cheap political propaganda.
Ricketts, who is one of the front runners for the Cross River Central Senatorial ticket pointed out that his aspiration to represent the good people of the old Obubra Province is borne out of the desire and agitations for equitable representation by all segments of the Senatorial District, emphasizing that since the advent of democracy, Yakurr and Obubra are the two Local Government Areas that have not had a shot at the Senatorial seat while Abi, Ikom, Etung and Boki, which are the other Local Government Areas that make up the Senatorial District, have all had their turns in the past.
He came clear that he is not leaning on any political bigwig in the APC or even in his Senatorial District, pointing out that he has high respect and a harmonious relationship with all the political leaders in the district, in his quest to represent his dear people of Cross River State Central.
“This is what lead to my campaign slogan – ‘Cow wey no get tail’ because I have a strong conviction that it is the entire members of my senatorial district that should determine who represents them and not any single individual”, the Ugep High Chief declared.
The Senatorial hopeful, who is a former Commissioner for Information in the State, urged his supporters and party loyalists to remain calm while insisting that he is in the race for victory, noting that no amount of gimmicks can hoodwink him into believing such cheap propaganda intended to deceive the good people of Cross River Central, in favour of a particular Candidate.