By Frank Ulom
The National Patriotic Front for Tinubu (NPFFT) has announced the temporary suspension of its political support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Cross River State, citing grievances over the state’s oil-producing status, political representation and alleged unfair treatment of its indigenes in federal institutions.
The group said the decision would remain in force pending meaningful steps by the Federal Government and the leadership of the ruling party to address six demands it described as critical to the interests of Cross River State.
In a press release signed by its Director-General, Castro Ezama; National Secretary, Hon. Musa Zubairu; National Organising Secretary, Hon. Charles Obi; and Cross River State Director-General, Edem-Obong Benjamin Effiom, the group said the suspension was intended to compel urgent engagement with the state’s stakeholders.
NPFFT stressed that its decision did not amount to a permanent withdrawal of support for the President or a declaration of opposition to his administration.
The group maintained that political support should be matched by fairness, inclusion, recognition and tangible attention to the legitimate interests of Cross River people.
“For too long, Cross River State has contributed to the political strength of the ruling party and the Federal Government, yet our people continue to ask legitimate questions about their place in the national political and administrative architecture,” the statement said.
The group called on President Tinubu to visit Cross River State as part of his engagements with selected states across the country.
It argued that the state should not be overlooked in the President’s national political engagements, insisting that a physical visit would provide an opportunity for direct interaction between the President and the people.
NPFFT urged the President to meet political stakeholders, traditional institutions, youths, women, business leaders and other critical groups to discuss issues affecting the state.
“The people of Cross River deserve to see, hear and interact directly with their President,” the statement said.
The group also demanded the rescheduling of the proposed presidential rally in the state, which it said was scheduled for November 2, to allow adequate mobilisation, consultation and participation by stakeholders.
According to NPFFT, the rally should provide an opportunity for the President to listen to the concerns of residents and respond to their demands rather than serve merely as a ceremonial gathering.
NPFFT called on the Federal Government to take urgent steps towards restoring Cross River State’s oil-producing status and recognising its legitimate interests in the petroleum sector.
The group said the state’s oil-producing claims should be investigated and addressed in line with relevant constitutional, statutory, regulatory and boundary procedures.
It maintained that the Federal Government should ensure that any legitimate claims by Cross River State are properly recognised and resolved in accordance with the law.
The demand comes amid longstanding concerns over the state’s exclusion from oil-producing benefits following disputes over maritime boundaries and the allocation of offshore oil resources.
The group also called on the Federal Government to consider appointing a suitably qualified Cross River indigene as the substantive Chief Medical Director of the Federal Psychiatric Hospital, Calabar.
It said the demand was based on the need for fair representation and recognition of qualified professionals from the host state, rather than a call to compromise professional standards.
“Cross River State has highly qualified medical professionals capable of providing effective leadership in the institution,” the statement said.
NPFFT urged the relevant authorities to ensure that considerations of competence and merit were accompanied by fairness and inclusiveness in appointments to federal institutions located in the state.
The group further called for an urgent and transparent review of outstanding promotion issues affecting staff of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), particularly concerns involving qualified Cross River indigenes.
It urged the commission and relevant authorities to ensure that officers who met the applicable requirements were not denied promotion on the basis of their state of origin.
NPFFT said promotion decisions should be guided by merit, qualifications, experience, performance, fairness and equal opportunity.
It called for a transparent review mechanism to address genuine grievances and ensure that eligible personnel received appropriate consideration.
The group also demanded that the National Women Leader position be returned to Cross River State as part of what it described as the need to ensure equitable political representation within the ruling party.
According to the statement, Cross River had consistently demonstrated commitment to the growth and development of the party’s political structure and deserved appropriate recognition in the distribution of key national positions.
Despite its decision to suspend political mobilisation and support for President Tinubu in Cross River State, the group said it remained open to discussions with the Presidency, the ruling party’s leadership and other relevant authorities.
It described the suspension as a strong political signal intended to prompt urgent engagement rather than a permanent break with the President.
“Political support cannot be taken for granted. It must be earned through fairness, inclusion, responsiveness and respect for the legitimate aspirations of the people,” the statement said.
NPFFT called on the Presidency and the leadership of the ruling party to engage Cross River stakeholders and take concrete steps towards resolving the six demands.
It said its political mobilisation and support for Tinubu in the state would remain suspended until meaningful progress was made.
The group also urged its members, supporters and other residents to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding while awaiting a response from the appropriate authorities.
It concluded that Cross River State deserved fairness, inclusion, recognition and justice.
