PRESS STATEMENT ON THE CROSS RIVER STATE GUBERNATORIAL ELECTIONS

Fellow Cross Riverians, Respected Leaders and Members of our great Party, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), I salute you.
You will recall that, following the recently concluded Primary Elections at the different levels across our State, I had cause to express my misgivings and dissatisfaction over the conduct of the exercise. My clearly stated grievances, which I succinctly outlined in an earlier statement, ranged from manipulation of the delegates lists to outright voter intimidation.
This resulted in my withdrawal from the race for the gubernatorial ticket of our Party, the PDP, in the 2015 elections. My decision, painful as it was, was reached not without due considering for the uncommon dedication and sacrifices made by the leadership and entire membership of my campaign team as well as my supporters across the State. It also did not preclude the option of exploring the possibility of seeking the mandate of the good people of Cross River State on an alternative political platform.
Having weighed all the variables, and in the light of the appeal by our National Leader, Presidential Candidate and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan against defection to other Parties on account of dissatisfaction with the conduct of the Party Primaries; and, more recently, following the grave concerns and medical advice of my doctors, I have had to come to another painful decision.
After due consideration and cognizant of the imperative to subsume my personal ambition in the greater interest of our Party, the PDP, in Cross River State, I have reached the following decisions:
· I shall not contest the 2015 gubernatorial elections on an alternative platform
· I shall work within the ambit of our Party to ensure that the PDP retains control of Cross River State at all levels
· I shall work fully with our Party’s candidate, Senator Ben Ayade to ensure his victory in the gubernatorial election
· I shall give my all to ensure that President Jonathan not only wins overwhelmingly in Cross River State, but that he wins the Presidential election with an even wider margin than he did in 2011.
For the avoidance of doubt, I remain a loyal member of the PDP. I therefore appeal to my teeming supporters to remain loyal and work for the victory of our party at the forthcoming general elections. Cross River State is our home, a collective patrimony. We should not see this as a letdown, but rather focus on the larger picture and perceive it correctly as a collective sacrifice for the greater good of Cross River State.
I thank you all for your support and reassure you that I remain fully committed to contributing to the growth and development of our dear State.
God bless Cross River State. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
GODDY JEDY-AGBA, OFR
CC
NATIONAL CHAIRMAN PDP
HIS EXCELLENCY, SENATOR LIYEL IMOKE, GOVERNOR CROSS RIVER STATE
STATE CHAIRMAN PDP CROSS RIVER STATE