By CrossRiverWatch Admin
Facts are beginning to emerge why indigenes of Obudu local government area of northern Cross River Tuesday, came out en masse for a rally to ensure the growth and development of the area.
CrossRiverWatch gathered that appointees of the Governor, Senator Ben Ayade were the first to throw up the idea of a ‘grand finale’ for the peace moves initiated by the Paramount Ruler of Obudu and father of APC chieftain JD Agba, Uti Joseph Davis Agba.
It was further gathered that upon noticing that adding a political undertone to it by declaring support for the governor will not sell, organizers had to bring in security and development concerns to make the rally acceptable to all.
“They thought if they come out and say let us all support Ayade, those who defected will say they have cornered the chiefs to ostracize them as they had posted on Facebook. So what they did is to bring in the cultism and ‘pull down syndrome’ talk into it to make it ambiguous” says a CrossRiverWatch source who helped in the planning and mobilization.
“What happened was this, we had to make our Hausa, Yoruba, Ibo and all others resident here to believe it was not only political but a rally that everyone will come together and say enough is enough. Let us join hands and make Obudu grow” the source added.
Emmanuel Akwagiobe, the Community Relations Officer to the Governor in Obudu told CrossRiverWatch on phone that: “It was a rally to say that anybody whether directly or indirectly causing problems and not allowing Obudu and Obudu people to grow, the gods of the land will visit that person and whatsoever happens, the person should take it like that”.
He however did not disagree that part of the reason for the organization of the rally was to support the Ayade’s administration which has come under fire of late from former political associates who defected to the opposition All Progressives Congress in the state.
The rally featured a march which began with traditional and western prayers at the Council headquarters through the Regina Caeli road, Anderson Street, Market road, and terminated at the Traditional Rulers Council, TRC office opposite the sports stadium with participants bearing placards with several inscriptions.
“This crowd you are seeing came together under the Obudu People’s Congress platform to show our support for the governor. Senator Ben Ayade is our illustrators son who has performed very well by initiating projects that will transform the economy of the state” said Kenneth Aklah, the Special Adviser to Ayade on Governor’s office and Events Management.
Aklah said that it is rather unfortunate that some Obudu sons and daughters who ought to join forces with the governor to develop the state are rather opposing his projects and programs like the Super Highway, the Deep Sea Port and the Garment Factory all packaged to develop the state and empower the people.
Libations were poured at the TRC starting first with Chief Tony Undiaundeye who is Ayade’s Senior Special Adviser on Public Affairs and Clan Head of Bedia Village.