C’River PDP Presents Duke As Deputy Governorship Candidate

From Idongesit Inyang

CALABAR

Cross River State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has formally received and presented to party faithful Lady Emana Duke as the deputy governorship candidate of the party in the forthcoming general elections in 2023.

This is amidst last week protests by youths of Akpabuyo, Bakassi and Calabar South local government areas who claimed that Duke was relatively unknown and not marketable.

But on Monday, the state chairman of the party, Mr. VenatiusIkem, who received and presented the deputy governorship candidate on behalf of the state working committee and party members at the party secretariat in Calabar, said, at last a right choice has been made.

Ikem said, although Duke was unknown, the party needed to have a woman of substance, young blood, beautiful and very competence in credentials to deputize Prof. Sandy Onor who he said would give joy to the party and the state.

He said that the last time Cross River had a woman as a deputy governor was 30 years ago, precisely, in 1992 when late Mrs. Cecilia Ekpenyong deputized Mr. Clement Ebri, explaining that it is also the turn of women to be highly represented.

The chairman thanked God for giving PDP the direction adding that for the past 10 months when Lady Duke was unveiled to the party, she has contributed a lot to the party and her combination with Prof. Onor will lead the party to greater heights.

Speaking, the PDP governorship candidate, Sen. Sandy Onor, said that the party decided to settle for a woman as a deputy governor for Cross River in 2023 for greater mobilization, a sense of belonging, and broadmindedness.

Onor, said that there was a need to deepen, brighten and strengthen the ticket as well as change the narrative, hence the choice of Duke, adding that although all the men were adequately qualified, the party decided not to be selfish.

Speaking, the deputy governorship candidate, Lady EmanaDuke, an ace broadcaster and media consultant, said that her choice is a victory for women even at the national level, youths, and the elders.

According to her, the ticket was given to her on trust, thanking the Southern Senatorial District in particular and Cross Riverians as a whole as well as the party for accepting her, promising to stand with Prof. Sandy Onor to claim back Cross River and return it to its past glories.