17 March 2019
Friday 15th March, 2019 over 3000 people both indigenes and non indigenes in Cross River State drawn from the 18 Local Government Areas in Cross River State across different associations and groups such as the widows association, women groups, students and youth platforms danced and jubilated through a twelve(12) kilometers route (Mary Slessor round about through Unical Main Gate to Itagbo Round About via 11/11 to Governor's Office) while celebrating the Governor's massive victory in the recently conducted Governorship elections.
Speaking to pressmen Prince Michael Nku Abuo, JP the converner of the victory rally/carnival who doubles as the Director General of Cross River State Political Network,CRISPON had this to say about the essence of the event:
"The victory of Sen Prof Ben Ayade in the recently conducted gubernatorial elections is the victory of Cross Riverians and it calls for celebration in the sense that Governor Ayade has done well in his first term and we are happy that his quest for a second term will continue his people driven governance approach of ensuring youth inclusiveness in governance; prompt payment of salaries, pension and gratuities; health and educational reforms;opening the band on employment and creation of industries to employ our youths and mega infrastructural initiative like expanding the Calabar-Odulpani-Akamkpa route, superhighway and deep seaport etc…
'So you see these strides and more is the reason for celebrating this leadership that is given to us by God and offcourse it is in line with the biblical injunction that says rejoice with them that rejoice while we also thanked Cross Riverians and non indigenes too for their massive support as seen in the turn out of the elections.We believe the glory of this dispensation will be greater than the past and this jubilation is the first of it kind as Calabar was shut down via this carnival like rally of thousands of youths, women and widows frim different groups participating and featuring dance troups/team and cultural display.
'This support is simply a show of love and will continue beyond 2023 as we will evolve mechanisms to put ideas together and ensure his government succeeds".
The rally of thousands which featured comedy, group diaplays commenced from Mary Slessor Round About with an opening prayer from Bishop Dr Rev Magaret Ene-Ita ended at Governor Office after an address from different groups heads and one staunch supporter of the movement Dr Ofuka who is the Special Adviser Cocoa. It was joy, ecstasy and glamourous galore.
