The campaign of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Cross River Central received a major boost on Saturday as Prince Ebuta Ayuk, former Presidential Adviser and Grand Patron of the APC Central Alliance, presented a fully furnished building in Ikom to serve as both campaign headquarters and constituency office for the party’s senatorial candidate, Hon. Oden Ewa.
The edifice, donated free of charge on behalf of the people of Etung Local Government Area, was commissioned during a well-attended ceremony that drew top APC leaders, lawmakers, members of the State Executive Council and stakeholders from Ikom and Etung.
Speaking at the event, Prince Ayuk said the gesture was intended to set a new standard for political representation in the district by ensuring the candidate has a functional base even before the election.
“This is history in the making. It is unprecedented for a candidate to have such a magnificent office in place for his campaign, ahead of taking office,” Ayuk stated.
“Ordinarily, what we see is that after a senator is elected, he then begins to look for where to operate from. But Chief Oden Ewa has done things differently and rightly.”
He disclosed that the property was being handed over at no cost to the candidate or the party for the entire four-year tenure.
“We are not paying one kobo for this. The building is mine. And because I believe in this project, I am offering it freely, willingly, and unequivocally on behalf of the good people of Etung as a take-off point for his secretariat,” he added.
“In legal terms, this is pro bono. I have no doubt that we made the right choice in Oden Ewa. He will restore the Central Senatorial District to its glorious days.”
Inaugurating the facility, Hon. Neji Abang, Member representing Ikom 1 State Constituency in the Cross River State House of Assembly, described Hon. Ewa as a “divine asset” to the Central Senatorial District.
“With the opening of this office and secretariat, we are looking forward to joy, hope, and restoration for our people,” Hon. Abang said before cutting the ribbon.
Dignitaries present included former Speaker of the 9th Assembly and Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency candidate, Rt. Hon. John Gaul Lebo; member representing Etung State Constituency, Hon. Kingsley Ntui; Commissioner for Tourism, Hon. Obi Ayuk; Commissioner for Aviation, Captain Eno Utum (retd); former council chairmen; and Senior Special Assistants to the Governor.
Responding, Hon. Oden Ewa thanked Prince Ayuk and the people of Etung for the support, promising a new approach to representation in the Senate.
“I am deeply overwhelmed by this gesture,” Ewa said. “Governance in the Central Senatorial District will no longer be business as usual. We will be accountable, accessible and responsive to our people.”
