As the October 2nd date for the APC congress draws closer, following the release of time table of activities by the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee of All Progressives Congress, more persons have stepped forward to indicate interest to run for office of the state chairman in Cross River State.
Prominent among them is a grassroots politician and businessman, presently serving as the Director General, Cross River Road Maintenance Agency, CRROMA, Engr. Thomas Aruku who has called on party members to check his past records and give him opportunity to serve them once again, stating that with his wide range of experience having worked with several leaders, he will ensure to build bridges across the divide.
The Ogoja born-politician informed that his number one goal is to reposition the fortunes of APC and make it a grassroots party, which is what politicking is all about, while assisting the governor in building bridges across the divide and complement the bridges Governor Ben Ayade has already built before defecting to APC, adding that he has a wealth of experience to pilot the affairs of the party to victory in 2023.
He said: "I have built bridges across the divide to complement what Governor Ben Ayade has already done. My work would be very simple by just linking up the bridges to reposition the party and to re-enforce on his politics of accommodation and ethical standard. I would consolidate on my past records to drive APC programmes and policies at the state level.
Speaking further, Aruku said with his wealth of experience having worked with several experienced hands such has Amb. Soni Abang, Ntufam Ekpo Okon and a host of others, he will deepen internal democracy.
"I have worked with party chairmen including Amb Soni Abang, Ntufams Ekpo Okon and John Achort Okon and the experiences I gathered from them would help me close the ranks of the party as well as take me to higher heights. I promise to deepen internal democracy by playing the game according to the rules and regulation.
"All I ask for is that you give me the opportunity to serve our dear state once again. And I assure you that we would take back power to the grassroots via to the wards. That way power would return to the people and we would deliver the state to APC in 2023. I have put myself forward because I have the capacity and the credentials to run the party one hundred per cent. When you put all of the contestants together I stand tall. So, I solicit for your support as we prepare for our state congress come October 2."
Aruku is among other four aspirants from the northern senatorial district who have so far indicated interest to contest for the party chairmanship position. He has before now served as Ogoja local government chapter chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP from 2008 to 2016 where he also functioned as the Chairman of Cross River state PDP Chapter Chairmen from 2012 to 2016.
Others who have also shown interest to lead APC include Dr Peter Ojie, former Deputy Chairman of PDP, former Commissioner and now Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Mr Ogbiji Nyiam, an SA to a former Minister, and, Goddy Nyiam, Director General, Department of Public Transportation.
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