Our Correspondent|16 October 2018
The Cross River State Governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Mr. Eyo Ekpo has promised to use all within his powers to ensure the State enjoys absolute and sustainable peace when he becomes Governor of the State.
The former Attorney-General of the State who said this when he paid a private visit to the Obol Lopon of Ugep, Obol Ofem Eteng, also said that he is familiar with the causes of communal crises in the State, as he had dealt with some of them while he served as Attorney-General in the Donald Duke Administration.
He noted that the causes of the recent crises in the State were rooted in the long absence of elected local governments; the deliberate failure to maintain previous close links between the State Government, the traditional institution and the people; the inexcusable degradation in the relationship between the State Government and the law enforcement and security agencies; all of which had given room for old grievances over farmland, chieftaincies and plantation royalties across the State to be resurrected and given new life.
“We’re aware of the crises between Usumutong and Ediba, Ebom and Ebijakara and the border communities between Yakurr and Obubra local government areas, which were discussed during your visit to the President. We can only hope that he listens and helps to put an end to these crises because we can't be leaders and these crises are allowed to continue.”
He also said that it is most unfortunate that a traditional ruler has been forced to go to Abuja to seek solutions to communal clashes that had become endemic to a relatively small area of Cross River State, because this was clear proof that the State Government had abandoned its most basic responsibility to preserve the life and property of its citizens.
Eyo held that Yakurr is dear to him and critical to the Cross River project and therefore cannot be left behind when discussion on Cross River development is being held.
Speaking, the Obol Lopon thanked the Governorship aspirant for the visit, and praised the SDP for making an Ugep son the Chairman of the party. The Obol stated that his primary responsibility on the throne is to his people and that is why he has been doing all within his power to ensure peace in his area.
"My responsibility is to my people and I will go anywhere and to any length to ensure that there is peace within my territory. When the Governor talked about building a new city I suggested they use the land under dispute. When I heard the Civil Defence wanted to establish a training center I suggested same, all these efforts are geared towards ensuring peace in these areas”, he asserted.
Following his private visit to the Obol Lopon, Ekpo went on to hold dialogues with a number of community associations and citizens of Yakurr LGA, during which views were exchanged about politics in the area in particular, and in the State generally.”
Nyok
Blogger-in-Chief, Editor-in-Chief & Publisher of NEGROIDHAVEN
