Edith CHUKU
A group in Cross River State has blamed what it described as infrastructural decay, economic, tourism and healthcare collapse and impoverishment of natives on the Prof Ben Ayade administration.
Speaking under the aegis of Cross River Rebirth Alliance, the group accused political leaders in the state of prioritizing church events over governance and welfare of Cross Riverians.
Ahead of the forthcoming 2027 general elections, the group called for mass mobilization across the 18 local government areas of the state to resist power retention bid and unseat the current government.
Cross River Rebirth Alliance lamented over what it described as deepening poverty, neglect and inaccessibility of communities following infrastructural decay.
This was revealed in a statement made available to TNN on Tuesday, by the group coordinator, Mr Christopher Bassey and secretary, Mr Callistus Imong.
According to the statement, “we have monitored developments in our state for close to eleven years now and are constrained to take this decisive step to take back Cross River State from those who have destroyed it over this period, while also taking practical actions towards the rebirth of the state that was once beautiful bride and a tourism destination.
“The foundation for this rot started from the days of Prof Ben Ayade, who came into the state with more interest in audio projects, endless boasts, empty promises and very little enthusiasm towards development of our state.
“Rather than build on the legacies of Mr Donald Duke who laid a solid foundation for the development of Cross River, putting the state on the world map as a very promising state, whose footsteps Senator Liyel Imoke tried to follow, Prof Ayade took the state more than 10 years backwards, before handing it over to the current governor who has succeeded in burying it, even though he claims to be running a government that is people centred.”
According to Cross River Rebirth Alliance, “the most disappointing aspect is that the current governor, Senator Prince Bassey Otu claims to be an apostle who is married to a woman who goes by the title of bishop, with whom they run a church.
“The governor wants us to believe that with him in power, there has been a season of sweetness. But that is not true. What we have seen and experienced in Cross River in the last three years have been bitterness and excruciating poverty that come with pain, anguish and tears, while an infinitesimal proportion, especially of those around the corridors of power, are enjoying and mocking the hoi-polloi.
“This is what has informed our emergence. As our name goes, we aim to see the rebirth of our state. We are taking back our state from shameless and heartless people who have made a mess of our common heritage in the last 11 years. We cannot continue to fold our hands.
“The last three years have particularly been very traumatizing for us as a people. While the masses groan as they languish in the midst of plenty, those in power are busy buying property in and outside Nigeria. They are feasting on our common heritage and have already started the process of returning to power in 2027 to continue the enslavement.”
The group lamented that, “the economy is dead. The streets are dirty and unkempt. There are no jobs for our people. Tourism has been buried. Healthcare for the people has seized to be a concern for the government. There is no transparency in the management of our funds. The state has become the personal estate of a few. There is nothing to show sweetness, but there is so much to show that the people are hungry and hopeless.
“We see more of solemn assemblies in the church that is owned, promoted and run by the first family, than projects. We see lavish celebration of the birthdays of members of the first family, where politically exposed persons are even compelled to make donations to show loyalty, than road projects. Till date, there are many communities in Boki that cannot be accessed even on foot.
“While Aba, Abia State, which was known as the dirtiest and most backward at a time that Donald Duke was being praised for setting the pace in governance across the country, is now known for very clean environments and their economy booming because of steady power supply, development in our own state has nose-dived in all ramifications. Our governor finds it very comfortable doing all the wrong things, believing that his second term is a given, since his party, the APC, appears to have conquered everyone, seeing that people have been docile and laissez-faire.
“This has to stop. The 2027 election provides an opportunity for the people of Cross River State to end this regime of hunger in the midst of plenty. We have had enough and as a people, we are committed to the rebirth of our state. We will mobilise people from the 18 local governments to chase them out of the Government House through our votes.”
The Cross River natives warned that, “we will engage the masses in the days ahead as we continue to mobilize and sensitize our people. The shenanigans must not be allowed to continue to take us on this ride to Golgotha. Please watch. The battle to reclaim our state has just begun. It is enough.”
