2019: The APC Men Eyeing Ayade Seat

Ahead of  the 2019 governorship elections in Cross River State, a lot of people from the main opposition party in the APC has indicated interest to wrestle power from incumbent governor Benedict Ayade, five of this aspirants are from the north of which four are from the same Local government (Obudu) with the governor, infact someone said “its Obudu for governor”.  it was naturally expected that all political parties will bring out their governorship candidates from the north in line with the conventional Zoning arrangement going on in the state since 1999 surprisingly they is a formidable aspirant from the southern senatorial district of state.

Rt. Hon. Paul Adah (KSM)

Popularly known as Paul for all, from Obudu, the two time former Reps member and former NDDC commissioner is the first to throw his hart into the ring, Hon Paul is an experience and popular politician known across the state, his open door policy makes him the grass root favorite.
The humble, soft speaking and highly cerebral Adah who has contested and won several elections in the past has started serious consultations across the state to become governor, and has promised to respect the Zoning arrangement of the state by doing only one term as governor if elected.
Hon. Paul knows Cross River state like the back of his palm as he has stayed in almost every part of the state in course of serving the state as a civil servant, and will be counting on this knowledge to deliver the state from its present predicament.

Barr. Venatius Ikem

Do you remember the man next door, this time he is stepping out to the rescue. Yes Barr. Venatius Ikem will be battling other aspirants for the APC ticket to confront Ayade in 2019.  One of the most intelligent minds you can converse with in Cross River state and a great grass root mobilizer; Ikem understands governance like A B C especially gathering from his experience as Special Assistant to the governor, three time commissioner in the state and Special Assistant to President Obasanjo, Vena will be hoping to bring his knowledge and experience to bear if given the opportunity.
Vena is not also green horn in election matters, in 1999 he was a very young man when he co-ordinated the northern senatorial district for the PDP and help bring the party to power, he has also been the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP and a Director of Publicity for the IBB Campaign organization. The Obudu born Ikem has been instrumental in so many people political success including the incumbent governor Ben Ayade who he helped to become Senator in 2011.
This political tactician who has spent most of his political life making kings is now ready to be king himself.

John Upan Odey

 In 2011 a young man under the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) took the political space of Bekwarra/Obudu/Obanliku fedral constituency by storm when he contested the house of representatives election of that constituency, it took only the rigging machinery of the PDP to stop him from becoming a NASS member, this time he is back to take a shot at the governorship.
Young, handsome, intelligent charismatic and also from Obudu, John Upan Odey is a man that that can easily sway you off your feet with his oratory prowess and his depth of understanding of the economics of government and how you can make a failing economy work.
Although with no experience in the public sector John is a seasoned banker, who through hard work and capacity has risen to the height of manager of his bank branch in Abuja. He is coming with a concept he calls “Leadershift” which advocates that leadership should be handed over to the next generation, John will be hoping to cash on the population and energy of the youths to coast to victory.


Odey Ochicha

In 2015 when this man indicated interest to run for governorship of the state, not many gave him any chance as he was considered a green horn with no experience in an electioneering process, but he proved bookmakers wrong by defeating two other aspirants in a landslide to clinch the APC ticket.
Through hard work and sheer determination Ochicha again came second at the governorship elections ahead of the more experience and popular Fidelis Ugbo and his Labour Party who paraded more renowned and experience politicians.
Ochicha is again ready to take a shot at the 2019 governorship elections and he believes he is more prepared now to defeat anybody that challenges him both for the ticket and the main elections.
At your first encounter with this man, it doesn’t take a second to fall in love with him, his humility and passion for good governance is exceptional. Although with no experience in terms of political appointment, Ochicha has a public service experience that spans more than 30 years in the NNPC where he rose to the rank of director.

Emmanuel Undie

Also from Obudu and from the same ward with governor Ayade Emmanuel Undie have been one of the voracious voices of the opposition in Cross River State, infact he was one of the few people who warned Cross Riverians about the character called Ayade judging from his previous close interactions with him.
Young, bold, intelligent and with a revolutionize mindset Emma Undie has told all who cares to listen that he is contesting the governorship elections in 2019 and he going to win squarely.

Prof. Eyo Etim Eyong

Prof Eyo Etim Eyong does not need any introduction in the political space of Cross River politics, since 1999 when he contested and won the APP governorship ticket but was denied victory as the ticket was snatched from his hands and given to the late Mark Ukpo who went ahead to loss the general elections, High Chief Etim Eyong has not lost the dream of becoming the governor of Cross River State.
The Sound and very intelligent former NDDC boss is the only aspirant so far from the southern senatorial district to indicate interest for the governorship, and been the oldest of all the aspirants Prof Eyo will be hoping to deplore his experience and long standing political machinery to grab the APC governorship ticket and also win the governorship elections. Also, been the only governorship aspirant from the south may be a huge advantage to his aspirations.