Independent candidate tours W. Equatoria counties

March 1, 2010 (TAMBURA) – Western Equatoria gubernatorial independent candidate has embarked on a campaign tour to Ezo, Tambura and Nagero counties, three days after he launched his campaign which drew thousands of his supporters in Yambio.

The second leg of his campaign has taken him to a region where he was once County Commissioner and many in the region remember him for his move which encouraged traders to build new shops during the murky days of southern Sudan.

Upon his arrival in Tambura County he was warmly welcomed by his Campaign Manager and members of the public in Tambura. Given the ban of what use to be South Sudan flag, his supporters waved green leaves.

Sudan Tribune confirms that, his arrival drew a perky large and enthusiastic crowd, who had waited for long for the man many refer already to as governor.

Col Joseph Bakosoro received a rousing welcome in Tambura, those who could not get near to him waited in hopes of catching a glimpse of Western Equatoria’s independent candidate.

He stepped from his vehicle and ignited the crowd by smiling and waving enthusiastically to them for several minutes before crusading to the heart of Tambura town.

The cheering and applause continued for at least five minutes as a smiling Bakosoro made several attempts to begin his campaign messages, but the audience would not quit until they had delivered their welcome songs.

Upon his arrival traditional dancers welcomed him with a new song created recently for his campaign trail.

The people’s choice
While launching his campaign last week Col Bakosoro arrived at the freedom square on a three wheel motorbike known as “raksha” which rode him all the way from Masiya. His supporters rushed to the motorbike and carried him down.
“This is the first time I have seen people being carried in the history of the Azande since the time of King Gbudue”, said an old man who stood and watched him being carried.

“I came from Juba not to go back but to be with you here as your governor. You asked me to come here to be your governor and today I am here with you and if you let me down, we will all fall into the big ocean,” he told his supporters.

Col Bakosoro stated that he joined the war in WES and fought together with other colleagues the war that brought the CPA. He stated that he is standing as independent candidate is to strengthen the CPA and democracy which many shaded blood for.

He dismissed rumors that he will chase away other tribes from the stated if elected governor of WES.

He continued by saying that every southerner have the right to live in any place anywhere in the South. “It was the people who asked me to come here to stand as independent and without you (the people); otherwise I would not stand as independent”.

“What kind of a governor would I be if I chase people away who are not from this state?” He asked.

“I cannot promise you that I shall do this and that or build skyscraper buildings. We shall work together with all of you to build and develop our beloved state,” he stated.

Col Bakosoro stated that he will bring back the people who ran away from the atrocities of LRA to their villages and provide them full security. He stated that he can only do this if elected as governor.

He said that he will change the way of business in the state by helping the local traders to become business minded people with reasonable capital because without helping them the state will be weak economically.

Among the things he would make priorities were: Education, Health, Security, Accountability, Development and Good governance.

Col Bakosoro narrated that he will never pay any person for his/her vote because he believes buying votes is completely illegally.

(ST)