CALABAR – A socio-political group, Think Cross River Initiative has commended Governor Bassey Otu for cancelling a cultural parade, Nkot Mbok, billed to be held in Calabar.
In a briefing with selected journalists on Tuesday in Calabar, the Initiator of Think Cross River, Edem Darlington, insisted that “The cancellation was done in the best interest of the State.”
Converseer reports that the event has thrown the state into frenzy, especially the Efik-dominating region of the state.
Commenting further, Darlington said the security of the state was at stake, adding, “No one in the State has access to the level of security information that the governor has. So, if intelligence gathering points to the fact that a particular event will lead to chaos where lives and properties could be lost, what a good leader and father will do is to be proactive and nip the issue in immediately. It is my sincere opinion that the government should rather be commended.
“If you look at the recently released Nigeria security report for 2024, you will realise that Cross River State made significant progress in terms of peace and security stability and that means that we are gradually taking back our place as the safest and most peaceful state in the country.”
Darlington, who is also the Deputy Press Secretary to the Governor, said the emergence of Otu has brought peace and tranquillity not just to the state capital but the entire state.
“We were all here in this state when kidnappings, arson, ritual killings and all manner of crime were being perpetuated sometimes in broad daylight.
“At one point, Cross River State was rated as one of the most dangerous places to visit in Nigeria. We moved from being the most peaceful state to one of the most unsafe places in Nigeria.
“No one was spared, our medical doctors were repeatedly kidnapped, a situation that prompted the leadership of the NMA at the time to go on strike each time one of their members was kidnapped.
“Even waterleaf sellers and petty traders were kidnapped and as low as five thousand was collected as ransom. Those were the issues the governor met on ground. But today, the reverse is the case.
“The governor since assumption of office has had countless security meetings, provided security officers with modern equipments to fight all forms of crime and criminality in the State. I think the governor deserves commendation for returning our state back to a peaceful and secure place,” Edem noted.
The Think Cross River initiator used the opportunity to call on young people in the State to continue to pray for peace as no meaningful development can thrive in an atmosphere of chaos and violence.
