By Balimwor Ekpe
The State Chairman of the All progressives Congress in Cross River State, Barr. Alphonsus Ogar Eba while briefing journalist at the APC State secretariat at murtala Muhammad highway calabar on wednesday 31st, July, 2024, said protest is a threat to the Democratic orderliness and ideals of the Nation and as such should be avoided.
Citing the Nigerian constitution, the Chairman stated that while protest is a constitutional right of Nigerians guaranteed under section 38,39,40 of Nigerian constitution to assemble and associate, section 45 however gives an exemption to that as if that will threaten public order and peace, then it should be curtailed. He disclosed that the APC In the State have secured permit from the Nigerian Police Force to embark on a solidarity rally through the carnival routes of calabar from 1st – 11th August 2024 to appreciate God for giving good governance to Cross River State and Nigeria, as such protesters must also seek permit from the police force before embarking on the move to occupy the streets as the calamity that befell the state during the incident of Endsars should not be allowed to reoccur.
Barr. Alphonsus enunciated that the Nigerian Government is relentless in it’s effort to improve the economic and living standard of Nigerians, as the APC administration would embark on wage review in every three years puting an end to the five years long term wait of workers for their wage review. Lauded President Bola Tinubu for taking the bold step of removing subsidy which has put an end to payment for fuel subsidy, emphasized that despite the temporary hardship it has brought to Nigerians, it is a good move towards resting the economy of the country for good and Government is still giving out palliatives to cushion the effect of the hardship.
Going further, He recounted the achievements of Governor Bassey Otu from infrastructural development, agriculture,human capacity development, security that have transformed the landscape of the State for the optimum benefit of Cross Riverians, which is why Cross River State should not be allowed as safe haven for any violent protest because the State is yet to recover all that were destroyed during the endsars protest.
The APC State Chairman concluded that, this is the time for Nigerians to collectively protect the democracy of the Nation .
