Inyali Peter
Worried by the recent increase of crime rate in the state, the gubernatorial candidate of the opposition All Progressives Congress in Cross River State in the 2015 general election, Mr. Odey Ochicha has challenged the state governor, Senator Ben Ayade to justify what he receives as security votes.
In a statement released in Calabar, Ochicha observed that Ayade’s administration has classically departed from the primary function of government which is to protect lives and properties.
He regretted that Cross River which prior to Ayade’s administration was regarded as the most peaceful state in Nigeria has now become a dead zone and haven for criminals.
While tasking security agencies in the state to intensify efforts to clear off criminals, he hinted that the cordial relationship between security agencies and the state government that existed during past administrations look soured as it’s alleged that the governor was not providing the necessary logistics to them to do their job smoothly.
The APC chieftain who said amongst other crimes, he was particularly worried about the increasing kidnapping cases in the state, reminded government that the tourism potentials of the state was fast deteriorating as a result of kidnapping.
According to him, “Cross River state has not had it this bad in terms of security. Before Ayade’s administration, we were regarded as the most peaceful state in the country but that status has since died an artificial death imposed by Ayade.
“The primary responsibility of a government is to protect lives and properties yet, we have a governor that receives security votes monthly but can’t guarantee the safety of his citizenry. He must justify his collection of security votes by beefing up security in the state”.
Baring his mind on the recent concern expressed by the Igbo community who reside in the state that they were the prime target of kidnapping in the state, Ochicha urged government to take the issue seriously as the Igbos are very fundamental to the growth of the state’s economy.
“I read on newspapers few days ago that our brothers, the Igbos who reside in the state have threatened to shut down their businesses as a result of the increase in kidnapping in the state and that they were the prime target.
“While I think their assumptions may not be correct, I want to request governor Ayade to take the issue they raised very seriously. The Igbos are very instrumental to the growth of the state’s economy.
“The government should not allow things to degenerate to the level of them shutting down their shops. It will give the state a very bad image and will threaten the tourism potentials of the state”, he said.
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