By CrossRiverWatch admin
The recent visit of some prominent Cross Riverians, led by Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba to the President-Elect, serves as a bailout for Cross River State, according to the Senate Leader’s media aide, Chief Sam Arikpo.
He disclosed this, Tuesday, in Calabar, against the backdrop of criticisms trailing the visit by a section of the public.
Speculations rented the air in Cross River State over the Senate Leader’s possible decamping to All Progressives Congress (APC) shortly after that visit.
This came on the heels of recent decamping of the former DG, Ndoma-Egba campaign organization, Mr. Ernest Irek, among other supporters to All Progressives Congress (APC), which earlier triggered similar speculations in the State.
While interacting with pressmen recently in Calabar, the Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, dismissed such speculations, insisting that he remains a member of the PDP.
According to him, the visit was not only timely but crucial to help integrate Cross River into the main stream of national politics.
Arikpo, who believes the Senate Leader has used his position to attract much development to the State, said he should be applauded instead of being vilified.
He recalls how Ndoma-egba, through his several scholarship schemes had helped some Cross Riverians to stand on their feet.
While noting that the visit to Buhari was not out of place, he said such visit that comprised non-partisan Cross Riverians of impeccable character should not be politicized.
During the visit, it was gathered that the delegation congratulated Buhari on his victory at the polls, apologize on behalf of Cross Riverians over the cold treatment he received while on campaign in the State.
It was further reported that the team also made a case on the controversial ceding of the Bakassi peninsular to Cameroun, as well as the loss of oil wells to Akwa-Ibom State, among others.
Members of the delegation included; Dr. Mathias Offoboche, Deputy Governor, Old Cross River State, Etubom Anthony Ani, former Minister of Finance, Dr. Emmanuel Nsan, Former Minister of Works and Health.
Chief Wilfred Inah, Former Head of Service to Government of old Cross River State, Senator Bassey Otu, Mrs. Nelly Andem, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, Barr. Utum Eteng, Chief Sam Bassey among others.