An emerging Socio-Political Group within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) the
Renaissance Platform CRS, founded 2yrs ago with the aim of taking positive action to make sure good governance, dividends of democracy and accountability is witnessed in Calabar Municipality and CRS at large in the next dispensation embarked on an awareness/sensitization tour of the 10 council wards in Calabar Municipality.
The group with the slogan Positive Actions for Good Governance, held consultations and awareness meetings with the Ward Exco Members, Chapter Reps, Stakeholders and Party Faithfuls of wards 10, 9, 8, 7 and 6 respectively in day 1 and ward 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 on the 2nd day been 13/1/22 and 14/1/22 respectively.
In an address presented by Hon. Paul Agbo, DG and the Assist State Publicity Secretary of PDP, Cross River State, stated that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was the only party that could rescue the state from her present predicament.
He also listed out the aims and objectives of the pressure group, saying that the group intends to promote a *rebirth* of the ideas of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and make sure credible candidates emerged in the forth Party Primary election and are presented by PDP in the 2023 Election. Speaking further, he said the group intends seeking for accountability from elected officials that have been given the people’s mandate and recall whosoever will be found wanting. Hence, constructive ADVOCACY will be the group’s watchword!
During the tour of the wards, he extolled the various Ward Chairmen and their Exco members, party faithfuls and pertinently the unconquered councilors who stood firmly behind the party despite the defection of the State governor to APC, the Chairman of Council and about 7 Councilors whom they all worked for but the decided to run away with their various mandates. He described it as a minor setback that will be overcome in a no distance time. He further urged all party members to enroll and get their PVCs as the INEC voters registration is ongoing.
Also speaking was the DDG of the Organization the PDP Chapter Secretary, Calabar Municipal Chapter, Barr. (Hon.) Prince Ankot Cobham(aka DeVoice) in his speech, said the ward tour also was to rekindle the hope of PDP members that better days are still possible with the emergence of the Renaissance Platform who are poised to promote, support and sustain good governance at all levels. He also stressed on the need for party faithfuls to go enmasse to register in the ongoing INEC voters registration as it will enable them participate in the forthcoming general elections effectively and reclaim their stolen mandate. He added that, though PDP today are in opposition, but the Party still remain the most formidable and majority in Calabar Municipality, CRS and in Nigeria.
In a massive turn out witnessed at the different wards, the various PDP Ward Chairmen/Caucus leaders reaffirmed their commitment and readiness to ensure the party’s stolen mandate is reclaimed and urged their members to continue keeping faith with the party and be ready to deliver success in the forthcoming elections. They also pledged their unalloyed support for the organization and requested for membership.
Speaking also during the group visitation were Political Leaders/Stalwarts in various wards of Calabar Municipality who promised to ensure their wards total support for the Group and her aspirations and see to it that the group achieves her aims and objectives.
Concluding the Council Wards awareness and sensitization visit in each of the Council wards, the Platform Director of Finance, Hon. Mrs. Florence Inyang (PDP State Women Leader) told the various wards visited, that the organization was bend on making sure Power is returned to the People to enhance accountability after being elected. And landed to the wards from the organization sacrificial widow’s mite purge, financial support to the 10 Council wards to aid them in the Voter’s Card Registration Exercise sensitization and refreshment. This gesture was highly appreciated by the wards as they all exclaimed that it was first of it’s kind in the history of Municipal Politics.
In one of the Chairman’s remarks from 10, Prince Ekong Offiong, observed that CVR exercise has to be taken very serious, using his ward as a case study, he submitted that the people are desirous to register but distance, fare and logistics has become a big barrier and questioned why the exercise is not taken closer to the wards as before for easy access. He therefore pleaded with the Organization being a Pressure Group to use their good office to look into the matter.
From the ward tour, over 200 PDP members indicated interest to join the Organization, prominent among whom was Pastor Cecil Ita, former DG to Prof. Ben Ayade, a political stalwart from ward 4, who poured praises on the group being one of the most organized,unselfish Organization with enormous vision he has ever seen in Calabar, having observed her activities from a distance. He stated categorically that his interest to join the group was base on his conviction on the faces of those piloting the affairs of the Organization who are men and women of trusted and proven integrity and also politically strong in their various wards and not noisemakers. Also, the group’s dynamic intentions for the good people of Cal. Municipality and CRS at large and her strict decision to fund her activities instead of using it as a conduit to make money from Leaders was fantastic and shows the group was in for a serious business. In his benevolence, he supported the group with a cash gift to his ward and admonished the group to strive to maintain her standard.
The event ended in Ward one, being the DG’s home ward where, the Councilor representing ward 1, Hon. Mbora Bassey Eteta-Ita described the Organization to be timely and unique. He however, pleaded with the Platform not to forget him and his colleagues who refused to defect to APC in prayers as it has not been okay and easy with them, from one threat and intimidation to the other but it is well.
PHOTO GALLERY DAY 1
WARD 10
WARD 9
WARD 8
WARD 7
WARD 6
PHOTO GALLERY DAY 2
WARD 5
WARD 4
WARD 3
WARD 2
WARD 1
