The Special Adviser on General Duties to Governor Bassey Edet Otu of Cross River State, Barrister Ekpenyong Akiba, says Cross Riverians refused to partake in the nationwide protest that commenced on August 1, 2024, because of the respect they have for the governor who has been working vigorously round the clock to transform and reposition the state for the betterment of the populace.
Speaking in an interview, Akiba maintained that Governor Otu earned the confidence of Cross Riverians from his purposeful leadership, commitment towards the fulfilment of his campaign promises and delivery of democracy dividends to the doorsteps of the people.
He said it was for the trust the entire people of the state have in the governor that made them listen to his passionate appeal to remain calm, show patience and understanding by shunning the protest and embracing dialogue.
His words: “In Cross River today (August 1), it’s been very peaceful and for me it was expected. It has been very peaceful not because residents and citizens of Cross River are not in support of the numerous questions that are being asked nationally, not because they are not affected by hardship, not because they not are not affected by the pump price of fuel and a number of societal and economic issues. But because most of these questions, if not all, are begging for answers nationally. The answers cannot directly be provided within our state.
“Now, in the state, the people are in consensus that the governor right from his assumption of office has been able to display goodwill and purposeful leadership. He has been able to display reasonable and justifiable action. He has been able to present himself as an icon worthy of emulation in this generation. The people of Cross River State have seen that the potholes we witnessed a year ago are disappearing. The people have also seen that the weekly, sometimes daily kidnapping incidents in Cross River are disappearing.
“The young people have seen that our famous state library complex that was ramshackle and not given attention has received 60% action. The people have seen the governor roll out 40 fishing boats and 40 transport boats to riverine communities to enhance their livelihood. In his empowerment efforts, the people have seen the governor through ITF (Industrial Training Fund) partnership, has trained young people in crop production, sewing, etc, and at the end of the training, they are empowered. The governor has partnered with a Chinese company to train young people in electrical electronics. The people have seen it.
“The pensioners are saying that the governor inherited debt that was not his and has approved N10 billion for payment of gratuities. It has never happened. A governor came in to inherit that kind of debt and has the large heart to approve 10 billion naira so that our mothers, our grandmothers, our fathers should be able to earn what they have worked for. The people are saying if the governor has taken this kind of step should he not be supported? Should he not be prayed for? Should he not be encouraged?”
Continuing, the special adviser on general duties added: “So in Cross River State, the Nigerian Labour Congress leadership, TUC leadership, NANS leadership, NACRISS leadership, Transport association leadership, market women leadership, civil society organisation leadership, name it, they have all come together to say that the governor in Cross River State has displayed readiness to deliver democratic dividends to the people, and there will be no need to embark on any protest that will not bring results. Because the questions that we want the federal government to answer are questions that can be answered without destroying, vandalising, and creating a situation that might lead to the loss of lives.”
He noted that Cross Riverians completely agreed with the governor as indicated in his state broadcast that the massive destruction occasioned by the ENDSARS protest in 2020, and the heavy loss it brought upon Cross River, should be a good reason why a repeat of such shouldn’t be allowed.
He thanked the people of Cross River for their understanding and commended the religious leaders, traditional rulers and other stakeholders who have given the direction of peace in the state.
