By CrossRiverWatch Admin
Ahead of the December 9, 2016 Supreme Court ruling on a case of perjury levelled against Cross River Governor, Senator Ben Ayade by Barrister Joe Agi, Cross River State has seen an upsurge in the number of solemn assemblies all praying for the state CrossRiverWatch can authoritatively report.
In 3 weeks, 3 solemn assemblies have been held with direct ties to the government findings reveal.
The first was held in Obudu where both African traditional and Christian rites were performed to ensure that the local government area grows and in particular, “For the detractors of the Governor who is our brother to succeed in court” according to Assang Ugah, a teacher who participated at the rally supposedly organized by the ‘Obudu People Congress’ which CrossRiverWatch gathered was a facade by government officials to encourage a massive turnout.
The second held Monday in Sankwala, Obanliku local government area where the Governor who was supposed to perform the groundbreaking ceremony for the Canadian international secondary school and the Mopol Squadron Base in Obudu choose to attend the event before heading back to Calabar after a 5 day tour of the central and northern senatorial districts.
Ayade who spoke at the event also said to be organized by the clergy in Obanliku called for the continuous prayers of the Obanliku people reports the Government House Correspondent, Jonathan Ugbal.
Earlier (Tuesday), the ‘Save Cross River Group’ in collaboration with ‘The Body of Christ in Cross River State held an inter-denominational solemn assembly where prayers were offered to God with the theme: “Cross River Must Reclaim Its Destiny”.
The event received funding from Government sources say and was an initiative of some appointees with all government appointees expected to attend the event which later suffered a poor turnout with a few attendees blaming it on poor preparations and publicity.
The Governor and his deputy, Professor Ivara Esu who were billed for the program failed to turn up with reasons still unclear as at press time.
However, appointees who were present were called out and Reverend Father Patrick Eneyo prayed for them and in extension, the governor and the entire state.
Some appointees left earlier after it was confirmed that the Governor will not be attending the program which was initially billed for 3:00 PM with unconfirmed information suggesting that all appointees were directed to attend.
Also, organizers denied any political undertone to the event with the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Barrister Godwin Onah saying that there was need for everything physical to be preceded by the spiritual, hence the need for the program which is billed to last for 12 days in a bid to make the state strong again.
“We analyzed the issues and came into terms with ourselves that before the physical manifestation of these problems, it must have been designed spiritually. Sequel to which it is only incumbent on us to use a spiritual warfare to address the spiritual problem. It is on this note that the Save Cross River Group in collaboration with The Body of Christ in the state has organized a state wide prayer session spanning for 12 days with the theme; ‘Uncovering The Case’”.
However, the program for the event showed that the government contributed to the event with part of the acknowledgement reading in part; “We acknowledge especially, the contributions of the Special Adviser, Civil Societies and NGOs, the SA Religious Affairs.”