25 July 2019
The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP and the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC in Cross River State have given insights into the reasons underlying why they are yet to criticise the incumbent state government NEGROIDHAVEN can say authoritatively.
They gave their reasons Wednesday in Calabar, the state capital city during a press conference where they explained that they could not immediately start criticising a government they all supported during the past 2019 general elections. In further buttressing their argument, they observed that the government is yet to even spend its first one hundred days in office. So, why should they start criticising it now. The respective chairs of CNPP Pst Sunday Michael and IPAC Padi Ali addressed the press differently. CNPP further explained how it was impossible for the government to take a loan seeing that it is already insolvent. He however supported the request in the event of a possibility.
According to CNPP's Michael 'It's important to note that the governor is yet to complete hundred days in office; and when you support somebody it becomes very imperative for you to watch that person, give that person all the necessary support to succeed until when it is very obvious that the person could not utilise the opportunity given to him.
'So, we have come as the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties to continue to fecilitate with His Excellency Sen. Prof. Benedict Ayade, governor of Cross River State over his reelection and all other elected and appointed political office holders and the subsequent swearing-in.
'We still note that His Excellency has done marvelously well at the industrialisation and prompt payment of salaries and pensions without having to borrow money from anywhere even when he is saddled with the burden of servicing huge loans that he inherited from previous administrations.
'Every administration borrows, borrowing is healthy. Our CNPP extensive investigation which covers the Debt Management Office DMO, the Security and Exchange Commission SEC, Federal Ministry of Finance and few other notable agencies indicate that Cross River is already insolvent and so could not have borrowed from anywhere. Whoever alleges borrowing may need to attach a motive to his claim.
'We want to make it clear that our support for the Governor is a genuine one and we will continue to support him. Now, if we have anything that we feel is inconsistent, is anti-people we will come out… We all know that in the past we attacked where we see that he is not doing well. So, we fervently call for support from all Cross Riverians and prevail on them to see the Cross River project as a duty. Where they find the need to criticise, it should be constructive. We also urge His Excellency Sen. Prof. Benedict Ayade to keep his ears open to suggestions from all Cross Riverians of good will.
'The CNPP Cross River State therefore continue to pledge unalloyed loyalty and support to the Government of Cross River State under the able leadership of His Excellency Sen. Prof. Benedict Ayade and his deputy. We also want to pledge our support to the newly elected 9th Assembly. We will continue to engage them to make sure that whatever policies and laws they are going to make will be pro-people. It is only in this way that Cross River State will move forward', he concluded.
Michael informed that the state house of assembly approving the loan request is the first stage of the process. Next is the consent of the Debt Management Office DMO, then Security and Exchange Commission SEC and then Ministry of Finance. It is at this point that they can assess the loan facility. To the best of their knowledge, it is the first stage that has been fulfilled.
On his part Padi Ali who informed that IPAC was in full support of the state government having confidence in the governor sued for patience from Cross Riverians, adding that they should refrain from rumour mongering. He assured every Cross Riverian 'that as the government would hit the ground running in this second half, the Ts would be crossed and the Is dotted'. He encouraged politicians of disparate hues and climes to close ranks and send in their contributions to the well being of the state. He appealed to the Governor to be of listening ears 'to well meaning opinions of Cross Riverians and be up and doing to ensure that the promised dividends will be delivered to the people of the state.'
On his part, Castro Ezama the chair of the Cross River Governorship Candidate 2019 forum called for unity amongst Cross Riverians asking that the alleged curse of Cross Riverians being an atomic society and perpetually at war with itself be removed. He craved the indulgence of Cross Riverians to 'come together, serve Cross River State, and take it out of obscurity'.
