From: Diana Okon-Effiong, Ogoja A businessman and entrepreneur, Chief Francis Bullem, has indicated intention to run for the governorship of Cross River in 2015....
From: Diana Okon-Effiong, Ogoja
A businessman and entrepreneur, Chief Francis Bullem, has indicated intention to run for the governorship of Cross River in 2015.
He stated this in an interview with our regional Correspondent in Ogoja Saturday.
He said his intention was also driven by the release of the timetable for the 2015 elections Friday in Abuja by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Bullem, who worked as banker for 23 years before retiring told our Regional Correspondent that he is in the race “to ensure good governance and accountability put on ground by Imoke’’.
Bullem said he had consulted widely and would continue to make with critical stakeholders before a formal declaration would be made to the people of Cross River.
“I am in the race because I am motivated to serve my people and have the latitude to touch their lives.
“From the standpoint of what Imoke has done in Cross River state, the state needs continuation and accountability.
“I am from the private sector to expand the horizon of service and entrepreneurship. My main focus will be on agriculture, rural development, tourism and many others.
“At this stage it will be a retrogressive thought to feel that you can change that paradigm of Cross River being a tourism destination. It is a niche area that has been created.
“So it is a value proposition, you have to continuously renew the processes so that every year you throw up something that is new and that the structures you put in place must continuously renewed.
“ You can get the speed with all the current issues that deal with tourism globally. That is the only way you can remain there as a tourism destination”.
The list for 2015 governorship race in Cross River is expanding with no fewer than 10 persons indicating interest to vie for the number one position in the state.
Our Regional correspondent reports that others who have so far indicated intent to vie for the governorship of Cross River in 2015 include a businessman, Chief Gershom Bassey, Mr. Godwin Jedy Agba, the Group General Manager (Crude) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
Another entrant to the race is the Secretary National Planning Commission (NPC), Dr. Fidelis Ugbo; Commissioner for Works, Mr. Legor Idagbo.
Others are former Minister of Environment Mr. John Odey; Speaker Cross River House of Assembly, Mr. Larry Odey, and former Acting Governor, Mr. Frank Adah.
An Abuja-based lawyer, Mr. Francis Ishang Tanko; a former Commissioner for Environment, Mr Julius Oputu are also touted to be interested in the position.
Similarly, incumbent Commissioner for Sports and Youths Development, Mr. Patrick Ugbe, is said to be interested in the slot which Imoke said had been zoned to the northern senatorial District.
According to the timetable released Friday night, the Ekiti governorship election is the first election and will hold June 21, 2014 while the Osun state governorship election is fixed for Aug. 9, 2014.
The tenure of Ekiti state governor expires on Oct. 15, 2014.
The timetable also indicates that the presidential and national assembly would hold on Feb. 14, 2015 while governorship and state assembly elections will hold Feb 28, 2015.
According to INEC “an election to the said office of the President (as applicable to all offices) shall be held on a date not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder of that office.”
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