By Efa Sunday
The leader of the Hausa/Fulani Muslim Community in Cross River State, Sarki Salisu Abba Lawan, has pledged his support and that of his community to the incumbent Governor of the State, Senator Ben Ayade, in his bid to re-contest the 2019 gubernatorial election.
Sarki Salisu made the disclosure recently when a pro-Ayade group, Code 888 paid him a courtesy visit in Calabar.
He averred that “I am extremely glad with the administration of Governor Ben Ayade, considering the fact that the Governor in his bid to foster National unity appointed a Hausa man as his Special Adviser on Non-Indigene Affairs, being the first of its kind in the history of the State.”
Mr. Salisu affirmed that he would ensure that the necessary support needed for the success of Ayade’s re-election in 2019 from him as a person, and as a community would be readily provided.
His words: “I cannot express my delight enough with the Government of Senator Ben Ayade, for giving us the Hausa/Fulani Muslim Community here in Cross River State a hand of reception. When you consider the past Governors.
“There is no administration that has ever considered appointing one of us into any office, but this administration has done it. So he is the Governor without bias that carries each and everyone along, regardless of ethnicity or religion.”
Meanwhile, the Director General of the group, Mr. Maurice Nkong had stated that although Code 888 is a voluntary political group, however, in its bid to foster equity, fairness and justice, Governor Ben Ayade should be allowed to complete his eight years in order to complete the industrialization drive going on in the State, “As four years won’t be enough to drive home such giant strides.”
Nkong therefore implored their host to make available to the government any information or observations noticed from the present administration to enable it achieve its goal of delivering dividends of democracy to the people of the State.
Others from the Hausa/Fulani Community that spoke were seemingly happy with the programs of the current administration.