The governorship race in Cross River State  has become keener with youths of the state  buying the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, nomination form for a leading aspirant and former publicity secretary of the party, Mr Emmanuel Ibeshi.

Ibeshi

Ibeshi is the only candidate to have come out within the PDP and declared intention to challenge the incumbent governor, Mr. Ben Ayade.

The youths who thronged the PDP state office in Calabar and purchased the form, said their desire to see a change of government and conviction in Ibeshi as the right person to rescue the state from “the current bad administration” prompted their support for him hence they bought the form as their contribution.

Despite the poor economic situation in Cross River State, the youths taxed themselves and contributed the  N2 million to purchase the PDP governorship form, as a demonstration of their solidarity with  Ibeshi in his aspiration.

One of the leaders of the youths, Mr Effiom  Attoe, said Cross River State had lost its once enviable position as destination of choice for tourists.

He said: “Cross River State used to rank first in Africa for tourists who would visit here and go to places such as Obudu  Cattle Ranch Resort, the Marina Resort and a number of other places, including the Tinapa Business Resort. But all that is gone now.”