The past Governor of Cross River State, Mr. Clement Ebri, has pleaded with the Federal Government to intervene in the rebuilding of infrastructure in the state.
Also, the Commissioner for Information, Asu Okang, has described the call by the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon, Abasi-Otu V, for Governor Ben Ayade to step down for an interim government as “democratically incorrect” and unconstitutional.
In the wake of the EndSARS campaign, which was hijacked by a violent crowd, over 52 government and private properties estimated at over N5 billion were vandalised, looted and in some cases razed.
This made the Obong to blame Ayade, saying he was not proactive, had poor knowledge of administration; hence should step down. In a statement yesterday, Ebri condemned the wanton destruction by irate youths but appealed to the Federal Government and well-meaning individuals and organisations to help the state in the rebuilding.
While condemning the wanton destruction of public and private properties, he was sympathetic to the plight of youths across the country, maintaining: “There is a better way to air grievances, foster dialogue and resolve such grievances in a peaceful manner. We should not burn down the barn in order to kill the rats.”
The commissioner disagreed with the Obong on the issue security and governance.
“There was no security breakdown. The governor is the chief security officer of the state, and he has been working with all the security chiefs in the state.
“We still respect the stool of the Obong. Whatever his grievances are with the administration, I am sure that with time, it will be sorted out.”
