By Kelvin Obambon
Ahead of the planned nationwide protest against economic hardship in the country, the South South APC Support Groups Leadership Caucus and the Office of the Special Adviser to Cross River Governor on APC support groups, have urged residents of the state to explore other options rather than embarking on protest, saying the government was open to suggestions on how to effectively enhance the welfare of the people.
Addressing a joint press conference in Calabar Wednesday, the National Vice Chairman South South APC Support Group, Comrade Iso Bassey Edim, said that Cross Riverians are peace loving people and also know how to address their pressing issues and would never resort to the destruction of their hard earned assets which cost the State so much to put in place.
According to him, “The Governor/Government of Cross River State runs an open door policy where ideas and good suggestions are welcomed and even put into practice which are seen and witnessed by Cross Riverians so anyone or Group of persons who has any good idea should do well to approach the Governor of the State and not protest in our dear State.
“Our beloved Governor of Cross River State His Excellency Ntufam Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu has been so passionate and caring about the people of Cross River State by giving palliatives to Cross Riverians of all facets which ranges from Rice, Beans, Garri and Monies to Traditional Rulers, Religious Institutions, Youths, Women, Students, his own APC Party faithful’s and other Political Parties in the State through Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC etc.
“It is also known to Cross Riverians that billions of Naira has been distributed to Farmers, Businessmen/Women and other classes of people to reduce the effect of the fuel subsidy removal and more monies and palliatives are still on the way to ameliorate the suffering of the masses. So a true Cross Riverian would never embark on any destructive protest.
“On Wednesday the 17″ of July, 2024, the Executive Governor of Cross River State distributed hundreds of speed boats, outboard engines, fishing materials and millions of Naira to fishermen and women across the 18 Local Government Areas of the State, and other materials for artisans are on their way, so what business do Cross Riverians have with protest?”
Speaking further, Edim said that “In advocacy and agitation for good governance and effective representation, there are principles and modus to be followed and the most important “modus operandi” is following the three (3) C Principles of Consultation, Consolidation and finally Confrontation.
“In the arrangement of the Prospective Protesters, they have refused to apply the needed principles, only resorting to the last option which is protest. In as much as every citizen has constitutional right to express himself/herself through protest and any other form of agitation, protest is never the best way to go first.
“Cross River State cannot afford to have another violent protest as we are yet to recover from the last “END SARS” Protest which led to the destruction of properties worth Billions of Naira and also inflicted injuries to a lot of families who lost their loved ones to the violent protest who’s perpetuators were mostly non indigenes of Cross River and do not have any business with the State.
“Finally, we are Cross Riverians who THINK CROSS RIVER and would never Support anything that would drag our dear State backwards.
“We hereby declare our unalloyed sincere support and loyalty to His Excellency the Governor of Cross River State who’s appointments cut across political party lines even as we specially appreciate him for recognising support groups in the state through the appointment of Special Assistant on Support Groups Matter and other key stakeholders of Support Groups.”