2023: Ekpenyong Jr may gain support from Ayade, Traditional leaders, Youths, Top politicians and Crossriverians

 

The former Commissioner of Finance Mr. Asuquo Ekpenyong Jr may have gained the acceptance of governor Ben Ayade, politicians, traditional leaders, elites, friends, opinions leaders, youths, women, and legislators to join the gubernatorial race ahead of 2023 if the mammoth crowd at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar and array of people who followed him from the hills of Obanliku to the seashores of Bakassi for enlightenment and mobilization were anything to go by.

Although the youths mobilized at the UJ Esuene Stadium was as a thank you to His Excellency for expanding the political landscape to accommodate the youths and also to reaffirm their unalloyed support and commitment to the administration of Ben Ayade and the tour to the 18 Local Government of Cross Rivers State was for effective participation in the political process in 2023 general election which led to the mobilization and enlightenment of thousands of voters in the state ahead of general elections.

The two events were fronted by Cross River State APC Lobby Group/Asuquo Ekpenyong Jr and the events shifted midway as speakers took turns to eulogize the personality of the former Commissioner of finance and the reason he should be convinced to throw his cap into the ring for the gubernatorial race in the state.

At the grand finale of the voter registrations sensitization tour at Odukpani Local Government Area, Barr. Mrs. Tina Banku Agbor noted that Prof. Ben Ayade had laid the foundation for youthful succession in 2015 by allowing almost 9 thousand Cross River Youths to serve and that allowed Asuquo Ekpenyong Jr. who was the youngest commissioner in Nigeria as of 2015, to serve as the commissioner of finance for 7 years without failure in his responsibilities.  " One who has done well deserves greater responsibilities" she added.

Also, at Biase Local Government Asuquo Ekpenyong was described as the"STANDARD", which implies that the people are convinced that Cross River State needs the personality and capacity of Ekpenyong Jr. to redirect the focus of the state to the promised land, just like the slogan of the state"The Paradise" welcome home. 

SSG believes that Ekpenyong Jr. is versatile enough to manage men and resources as exemplified in his 7 successful years as a public servant in the state.

Leading the clarion call for Ekpenyong Jr. to throw his cap into the ring is  The Executive Chairman of Odukpani Local Government Hon. Justina Edem declared that the standard for 2023 is youthful representation, highlighting that Asuquo Ekpenyong is an example of the standard for 2023, he is competent and qualified to run.

She concluded that" we are proud of our son, brother, and mentor, Asuquo Ekpenyong Jr. You have made us proud, Odukpani Is proud of you and we will stand by you"

Any Crossriverian irrespective of the age should be given the opportunity in as much such a person can transform the State and sustain the industrialization of the present government, which I maintained  Ekpenyong Jr. is skilled, qualified, eligible, equipped with knowledge.