From Judex Okoro, Calabar
Thousands of members of Bipartisan support groups at the weekend embarked on a 5- kilometre One Million Man walk in Ogoja for Sen. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe ahead of 2023.
The bipartisan groups, made up of youths, women, civil servants, retired technocrats, Governor Ben Ayade aides, farmers and community leaders, walked through St. Ben T-Junction in Ishibori, Hospital Road, Mission Road and ended at TTC field where they were
The walk commenced with an early morning Mass held at St. Benedict Cathedral where special prayer was offered for Sen. Jaerigbe Agom Jarigbe.
The walk followed by a mini-rally at TTC field lasted for about three hours amid drumming and dances by the various groups from the five local government areas that make up Cross River North senatorail district including Ogoja Yala, Bekwarra, Obudu and Obanliku.
Speaking, the spokesperson of the bipartisan group, Agama Emmanuel Agama, said the march was to show the massive support and love the people of North have for Sen. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe and their commitments to his political dream.
Agama said the thousands of people that turned out for the walk came on their own and even contributed to ensure success of the event, adding that “most of them belong to various political parties but are united in the project of delivering Jarigbe in 2023.”
Also speaking, an elder statesman and retired technocrat, Dr Ikani Wogar, said:”With the one million March, the people have put an imprimatur on the district. The imprimatur is for Sen. Jarigbe and no other person can take it away.
“We the elders of Cross River north have enorsed Jarigbe to return to Senate and we shall all join hands to ensure we accomplish the task because the incumbent has done well as his footprints are scattered across the 54 wards of the north.”
Adressing the crowd, the Senator representing Cross River North, Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, took a swipe at the Governor Ben Ayade’s administration, saying he has failed his people.
The incumbent PDP Senator, who is contesting against Ayade of APC, said: “I am going to face a non- performing governor and I will defeat him. I treat my people with empathy, input myself in their shoes and their support for me is actually unparalled, I owe them a lot.
“I’ve provided most of what the people need and have filled the gaps. I plead with you all to return all the PDP candidates and it will be better for all of us”,he stated.
On his part, the State Chairman of the PDP, Mr Vena Ikem, Esq, said: “Last year, we lost our Senator and we were looking for who to replace her. We saw a man who had done so well for the people of Ogoja/Yala federal constituency, and we decided to support him to represent us as senator.
“In just one year, he has done exceedingly great things that our previous senators could not do in eight or four years. The reward for good work is more work. That is why we have come here to join the non-political groups who have organised this walk in solidarity with our senator.”
One of the candidates for Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency, Godwin Offiono, Esq, said: “The one million man March is an expression of solidarity, love and acceptance the people of Cross River North have for senator Jarigbe” he said.
Other stakeholders who lent their support for the re-election of Senator Jarigbe include Major Mike Otiwa, Ujie Udah, Chief Idi Yakubu, former Commissioner, National population Commission (NPC), Martin Achadu, Omang Omang and Rita Agbor Anyim.