The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State, Barr. Alphonsus Eba, has said only the part has secured a permit to rally in the state.
Eba stated this on Wednesday, 31st July 2024, while addressing journalists at the APC Secretariat in Calabar, adding that anyone who wants to protest must obtain a permit from the police.
Eba’s comment came in barely 24 hours ahead of the 1st August 2024 planned nationwide protest.
The Cross River State APC Chairman said the party has done well in the national and the state, adding that there is no need to protest as the policies of the Federal Government are here to make the country better.
He mentioned the numerous things the APC government has done from the State to the Federal including the release of N10 billion by Governor Bassey Otu to cater for retirees and the fighting against corruption, insurgency and banditry by President Bola Tinubu.
He said for those who choose to protest, “Our appeal has been that our president needs more time and we use this forum to appeal to Nigerians to please for the sake of God, for the sake of nationhood, for the sake of Cross River State and the sweetness in the land, let us not go to the streets but for those that will choose to go to the streets, as a party we have taken this measure that we shall solidarise with our Governor as a way of encouraging him to do more, we shall do solidarity with Mr President for all the wonderful things he has done which I have just rolled out.
“In doing so, we have complied with the order of the Federal Government through the IG of Police that anybody who wants to be on the street from tomorrow must do so by getting a permit to do so. APC Cross River State in conjunction with rightly guided and well-thinking people across party lines, we’ve reached out to the Commission of Police for permits to also be on the streets and our roots will be; a commencement point from this party office through the 12-kilometre Carnival Route.
“Our point of takeoff will be the 11-11 roundabout, we will also intermittently spend time at Rabana, we’ll also spend time at the Efio-Ette junction, so these are the routes we have secured and up to this moment and our knowledge, it is only APC Cross River that has secured a rally from now to the 11th of August to use these routes. From what we have gathered, the only available route for anybody who wants to cause trouble will be around the Odukpani junction heading towards Itu Bridge.
“We are not looking for trouble, we want to be on the street to sing praises and to thank God Almighty for giving us the duo of President and Sweet Prince that has brought sweetness to the land and at the end of it, we’ll be having a series of engagements. These engagements from the 2nd of August will be with youths and students to roll out the achievements of our dear President and Governor. After that, we’ll be engaging the religious groups, we’ll be meeting with support groups and the IPAC, we’ll be meeting with farmers, we’ll be meeting with Civil Servants, we’ll be meeting with the road transport workers, road transport owners, keke riders and the okada riders down to independent marketers and the various religious groups, all in the name of telling them this is what we have done. The market women will not be left out and so the Organised Labour.”
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Eba further stated that as they’ll be doing their rally, “If people gather to make trouble, we will report them to the police. Our idea is to ensure we don’t allow criminal elements to topple the government we worked hard to install.”
PROPOSED (14 DAYS) TWO WEEKS OF ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS STATE CHAIRMEN FORUM COMMENCING FROM MONDAY 29TH JULY TO 11TH AUGUST ON THE STATE OF THE NATION.
29th July 2024: World press conference by All State Chairmen at the National Secretariat in Abuja by 10 am.
30th July 2024: State Chairmen Return to their respective States for Engagement with critical stakeholders across party lines
31st July 2024: State Executive Committee Meeting/ Enlarge Stakeholders on Peace Enforcement and Counter-protest Rally
1st August 2024: Solidarity Rally in support of the Government at All the States and Local party secretariat and across major streets and squares.
2nd August 2024: Sensitisation of Youths and Students at respective State’s Squares on the achievement of the President and the Governor.
3rd August 2024: Meeting with All Progressives Congress (APC) Support groups and IPAC on the Achievements of the President.
4th August, 2024: Interdenominational prayers by All Religious bodies Christians, Muslims e.t.c at the rally ground.
5th August 2024: Engagement with Traditional Rulers and Religious Leaders in the respective State Capitals and Local Government Areas on the Achievements of the President and the Governor.
6th August 2024: Engagement with Market women, NURTW, NARTO, OKADA & KEKE RIDERS and independent marketers of petroleum products
7th August 2024: Engagement with Artisan, and workers in the informal sectors on the Achievement of the President
8th August 2024: Meeting with farmers and Traders in the State Capitals & Local Government Areas on the Achievements of the President and the Governor.
9th August 2024: Interdenominational prayers by All religious bodies Muslims, Christians, etc for the President ae Government.
10th August 2024: Meeting with Civil Servants at the State and Local Government Areas Headquarters.
11th August 2024: Mobilisation of All Ward Party Leaders, LGA Executives and State Executives for end of two weeks Activities Rally and Press conference in each State Capital and final press conference of all All Progressives Congress (APC) States Chairmen in Abuja at the National headquarters of the party.
