Victor Adaha|14 August 2018
As build up to 2019 general elections the Speaker of Cross River State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. John Gaul Lebo, made a surprise visit to Itigidi Community where he met youths chilling under a mango tree. The youths were surprised to see the distinguished Speaker unannounced, felt free interacting and familiarizing with him because he was in their own zone, a non political environment. One of the youths was overheard describing the unannounced visit as “August visit”.
The youths were shortly joined by the PDP ward executive, led by the chairman, Secretary and the women leader among others, the good people of Itigidi were also present in their numbers, as they came out to welcome their illustrious son.
The Speaker, Rt Hon Lebo once again reiterated the fact he is an Itigidi son, excerpts: “I am an Itigidi son by every standard, and I am indebted to Itigidi community, I am always treated as one of your own, I enjoy love, care and support from Itigidi, I am your son “he went on to further say “I am conscious of the fact that my politics must add some value to the Constituency “because that is the political ideology that brought us into leadership responsibility, I owe Abi Constituency that value before the end of my tenure as Speaker”. His words were greeted with loud affirmation from the crowd.
The Speaker also visited gully erosion sites to inspect collapsed culvert, promise immediate government intervention and salute the leaders and youths of Imabana community for the prompt community effort to create a temporary access . He then promised to ensure that all uncompleted projects in Abi are completed under the remaining period of his tenure as Speaker.
The visit of the Speaker to Itigidi was a brief stop over after his consultation at Ekori beach community, Epenti council ward, Ekori in Yakurr local government. Where he went to solicit support ahead of his humble ambition to represent the good people of Abi/ Yakurr in the Federal House of Representatives. It was indeed a very emotional visit for the Speaker whose community Ibalebo- Adadama shares very close ties with the People of Ekori, both communities are just separated by river.
The Speaker's parents started their early teaching career at Ekori, and hence had some very close friends there, some of which the Speaker did personally identify among the crowd and addressed them by their names and titles. This single act made him more welcomed, as he was made to feel at home, and was given a sonly reception. A supposed official consultation meeting became more of an informal family meeting.
Victor Adaha writes from Itigidi on Abi, Cross River State
