By CrossRiverWatch Admin
The New Yam festival in Bekwarra and Obudu local government for politicians is always a rallying point with this year’s edition not different CrossRiverWatch authoritatively reports.
The member representing Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Honorable Legor Idagbo and the Chief of Staff to Governor Ben Ayade, Honorable Martins Orim were among the few who celebrated with their constituents.
At the Justice Idagbo estate in Ugborro, CrossRiverWatch gathered that people filed in as early as 7:00 AM in the morning and were treated the entire day to native delicacies with Legor occasionally coming out to felicitate with political associates and elites in the Bekwarra nation.
He later joined the chief of staff to Governor Ben Ayade, Honorable Martins Orim to continue with the festivities.
In Obudu, Martins began receiving guests at his residence at Ukor along ranch road as early as 6:00 AM where he doled out gift items to widows and entertained political associates, chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party and several others.
He later left in a motorcade to his hometown Ukpe, where he addressed a large audience urging them to support the administration of Governor Ben Ayade as he meant well for Cross Riverians.
The people were then entertained to local dance groups, native delicacies and the visitors were served the native Melon Cake known as “Bipam Bifefe” in the Bette vernacular.
For the second year in a row, Governor Ayade who hails from Kakum in Obudu did not visit his hometown for the New Yam festival with no particular celebration held in Calabar either.
Unconfirmed information however suggests that he approve some money for his chief of staff to celebrate “as his representative”.
The New Yam festival celebrated every first Saturday of September is reputed to be one of the largest as the Bekwarra people, excluding Afrike, Obudu people and the Bendi-Bette people of Obanliku local government areas participate in it.
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