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Tag: Cross River

  • Obi defeats Atiku, TInubu in Cross River

    Obi defeats Atiku, TInubu in Cross River

    Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) has won the presidential election in Cross River State.

    The win sees Obi, widely considered to be the underdog of the election, defeat his fellow contenders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu; Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar; and New Nigeria Peoples Pary (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso.

    The final results, which were announced at the presidential election collation centre in Cross River early Tuesday morning, indicated that Obi polled 179,917, besting Tinubu’s 130,520, Atiku’s 95,425, and Kwankwaso’s 1,644.

    This makes Obi’s fourth state win after Nasarawa, Enugu, and Lagos.

    Triumph for the former Anambra State governor in the Cross River is significant for a number of reasons.

    In Cross River, the presidential poll recorded 1,691,642 registered voters.

    There were 416,968 valid votes, while 24,608 were rejected, adding up to 441,576 total votes.

  • 2023: Enugu Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi loses senatorial election

    2023: Enugu Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi loses senatorial election

    The Enugu state Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who contested the Enugu North Senatorial zone under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has lost to the Candidate of Labour Party.

    Mr. Okey Ezea of the Labour Party has been declared winner of the Senatorial election held in Enugu North Senatorial zone on Saturday.

    Ezea defeated Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to emerge winner of Enugu North Senatorial Zone.

    The result of the election was announced by the returning officer, Prof. Chukwuemeka Ubaka, early Monday morning.

    He said Ezea polled 104, 492 votes while Ugwuanyi of the PDP garnered 46, 948 votes, the APC candidate, Eze Simon came third with 6,816 votes.

    Ugwuanyi joins Croos River’s Ayade as sitting governor who lost senatorial elections in the country.

  • Cross River Governor, Ayade loses senatorial election

    Cross River Governor, Ayade loses senatorial election

    Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade has lost his bid to make it to the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly.

    Ayade was defeated by the incumbent Senator representing the Northern Senatorial District of the state in the National Assembly, Sen Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe.

    Senator Jarigbe who contested under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, polled 76,145 to defeat governor Ben Ayade of the All Progressives Congress who polled 56, 595 votes in the exercise.

    Declaring Sen. Jarigbe winner of the exercise in the early hours of Monday, the returning officer, Dr. Emmanuel Emanghe who spoke on behalf of Independent National Electoral Commission INEC thanked stakeholders for their peaceful conduct

    Emanghe also lauded all security agents for giving the needed security support which invariably led to successful and credible elections.

  • Just In: Two dead, three kidnapped as ex-minister, Usani Usani narrowly escapes death [Photo]

    Just In: Two dead, three kidnapped as ex-minister, Usani Usani narrowly escapes death [Photo]

    Usani Usani, former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and Governorship candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in Cross River, narrowly escaped being killed by suspected kidnappers along the Calabar-Ikom highway.

    Two unidentified persons were, however, not lucky as they were killed by the gunmen who shot at their vehicles in a bid to abduct them.

    Usani was said to be on his way to his home town in Nko, Yakurr Local Government Area, alongside the deputy Governorship candidate and others when they are attacked.

    The State Commissioner of Police, Sule Balarabe, who confirmed the news, said it occurred between the axis of Akamkpa and Biase Local Government Areas of the state at about 4pm on Friday.

    He said it started when a white Ford with Registration number AAA 41 AQ was ambushed by the suspected kidnappers, killing the two yet-to-be identified victims.

    The Commissioner further said that three other persons were abducted in the process by the gunmen.

    “The vehicle in which they killed two persons had seven occupants including two police officers, ASP Ibor Bassey and Insp. Ebro Ebri who escaped and called for reinforcement.

    “A tactical Unit was immediately dispatched to the area and three persons have so far been rescued,” he stated.

    Balarabe said that the rescued persons were members of the PRP who were traveling with the former Minister.

    He solicited for support by way of useful information to the police from the communities along the Calabar-Ikom highway.

    “We are appealing to all community leaders and traditional rulers to help security agencies by providing us with useful information through our dedicated lines.

    “These criminals are not spirits, they are human beings who live amongst them, without useful and timely information, it will be very difficult to nip this nefarious activities in the bud,” he said.

    Speaking on the attack, Media Aide to the former Minister, Mr. David Agabi, said that they escaped by the whiskers.

    According to him, “We were in a convoy, the gunmen started shooting at us around Betem in Biase, my principal’s driver sustained gunshot injuries while the vehicle was riddled with bullets.

    “Other members of our party in the convoy also suffered various degrees of injuries.

    “Four persons were abducted but as I speak to you, only three have regained freedom, one person is still missing, my principal is in good condition.”

  • Gunmen kidnap Cross River Commissioner for Women Affairs

    Gunmen kidnap Cross River Commissioner for Women Affairs

    The Commissioner for Women Affairs in Cross River, Mrs Gertrude Njar, has been kidnapped by unknown gunmen on Wednesday in Calabar.

    An eye witness, Mr. Samuel Okon said that she was forcefully taken out of her official car by masked young men.

    According to Okon, they took the commissioner away in their car and abandoned her own car in Calabar South.

    Mr. Kalita Aruku, Special Adviser to Gov. Ben Ayade on Information, confirmed her kidnap in a telephone interview.

    “Yes, security sources have informed us that the Commissioner for Women Affairs has been kidnapped.

    “As we speak, security operatives have launched a manhunt for the kidnappers with a view to arrest them and rescue the victim unharmed,” he said.

  • Reps member’s aide kidnapped in Cross River

    Reps member’s aide kidnapped in Cross River

    Mr. Kenneth Abang, a legislative aide to a House of Representatives member, representing Boki-Ikom Federal Constituency in Cross River has been kidnapped

    Abang, who is an aide to Rep. Chris Agibe was abducted in Betem community in the Biase Local Government Area of Cross River.

    He was kidnapped alongside his relative, Miss Eunice Abang on Jan. 30.

    Abang’s, Mr Fidelis Ekpah, told NAN in a telephone interview on Tuesday in Calabar that Abang was traveling to his home town in the Boki Local Government Area when he was abducted.

    Ekpa explained that Abang was traveling to prepare for his late father’s burial, schedule to hold on Feb. 3 and Feb. 4.

    “Mr Kenneth Abang has been kidnapped along the Calabar-Biase highway while traveling to Boki to make preparations for his father’s burial.

    “He was kidnapped alongside his relative, Miss Eunice Abang. They took them away and abandoned his car by the roadside.

    “This is a double tragedy for us. We were already planning for his father’s burial before this ugly incident occurred.

    “I want to appeal to the police, the army, civil defence and the department of state service to come to our aid and rescue our brother and his relative,” Ekpa said.

    The spokeswoman of the Cross River State Police Command, SP. Irene Ugbo, who confirmed the abduction in a telephone interview with a NAN correspondent, said that efforts were ongoing to rescue the victims.

    “The deputy commissioner of police in charge of operations has drafted our men to the area to ensure the release of Abang and his relation.

    Ugbo said: “we are on the matter. I can assure you that efforts are on to rescue the victims and arrest the suspects,” she said.

  • Ayade lacks capacity to deliver good governance – PDP

    Ayade lacks capacity to deliver good governance – PDP

    Sen. Sandy Onor, Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged that APC’s administration failed because it lacked the capacity to deliver good governance to the people of Cross River.

    Onor said this on Saturday in Calabar while reacting to the campaign programme of the APC which included inspection and groud breaking of some projects by Gov. Ben Ayade.

    According to the programme, Ayade is expected to inspect the dualisation of Ogoja-Yala road, take a facility tour of maize flour and pickles fruit factory in Obanliku Local Government Area.

    He will also inspect the progress of work at the Obudu International Cargo airport in Obudu Local Government Area.

    Simirlarly, he is to carry out groundbreaking ceremonies for the Cross River State Polytechnic, Ndok, Ogoja Local Government Area.

    Ayade will also inspect the Yahe- Wanakom-Wanihem Road, Ukelle, and the construction of Standard Police Station, IPOLLO, South Ukelle all in Yala Local Government Area.

    Onor described the APC programme as the government’s last voyage attempt to deceive the people to cast their votes for the ruling party in the state.

    The PDP candidate said Ayade, who had not brought any project to completion since assumption of office in 2015, would embark on fresh projects with less than four months to the end of his tenure.

    “They are simply responding to our messages; we have challenged them to the fact that they have nothing to show.

    Onor accused the APC in the state of trying to hype themselves and continue to decieve the electorate, adding that they had nothing to show and no ground to break.

    “You are going to ground break the Ukelle road that Sen. Jarigbe has already started constructing and it’s even in the federal budget; about N10 billion has already been allocated in the budget of 2023.

    “You want to go and inspect the airport project which you said that planes will start landing on it by last December, a project in which you completely alienated the people and took the land forcefully.

    “What is the progress done on that project; that project is not up to 40 per cent done, so it’s just the usual deceit and it’s unfortunate.

    “The ground breaking of Ogoja Polytechnic is a ruse, can’t you see it for yourself and know that it is also a ruse, they are just making fun of themselves, the people already know.

    Newsmen reports that the APC is billed to inaugurate it’s 2023 elections campaign in Ogoja Local Government Area in Cross River North Senatorial District.

  • SDP deputy governorship candidate defects to APC in C/River

    SDP deputy governorship candidate defects to APC in C/River

    Mr. Daniel Obo, the deputy governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Cross River, has defected to the All Progressive Congress (APC) on Thursday in his hometown, Obubra.

    He was received into the APC by the Chairman of Obubra Urban Ward, Mr. Daniel Okpa, after due registration and collection of party card.

    Speaking, Obo, who is also the Chairman of National Youth Council of Nigeria, Cross River Chapter, said he moved to APC because the party “is youth-friendly”.

    According to him, Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River has brought leadership and governance closer to the people by appointing more than 80 per cent of youths into his cabinet.

    He also said he was defecting to APC to support the candidates of the party to win their elections.

    “I represent the young people and we need to stand firm for the young people of our dear state. APC in Cross River has been favourable to the young people and their tickets were given to young people.

    “We have realised that our strength is in the APC and that is why we took the decision to join the party and protect the young people.

    “For today, we have the 18 youth council chairmen at the local government level that are moving with me to APC. Also, over nine ward chairmen from SDP have moved with me to APC.

    “We have hundreds of young people who have also decided to join the struggle of protecting their generation.

    “I want to charge youths in Cross River to get their Permanent Voter’s Card and come out massively to vote for all APC candidates in the state,” he said.

    Also, the Speaker of Cross River House of Assembly, Mr. Eteng Jonah-Williams, said that Obo’s defection to APC was timely and well-conceived.

    Similarly, Mr. Peter Odey, the APC deputy governorship candidate in the state, assured Obo of “a seat at the table” if the party won the governorship election in the state.

    Mr. Hilary Bisong, who represents Boki 2 State Constituency in Cross River House of Assembly, described Obo as an asset to the party in the state.

    Bisong, who was the Chairman of the event, said that Obo’s defection to the APC had given the party an edge in winning the elections in his area.

    The lawmaker, who called on other youths in the state to join APC, said that the party was the only platform in the state with youthful candidates seeking election in 2023.

    The defection ceremony was attended by youths, commissioners, lawmakers, and support groups among other stakeholders.

  • We drink water from same stream with cows – C/River traditional ruler

    We drink water from same stream with cows – C/River traditional ruler

    Mr. Linus Odey, Paramount Ruler of Bekwarra Local Government Area of Cross River, says his Akwarinyin- Abu community and 15 others drink water from the same stream with cows.

    He stated this when the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Sandy Onor campaign team met with him and 16 clan heads at Akwarinyin-Abu near Abuochiche in Bekwarra Local Government Area on Tuesday.

    The Monarch, who also bemoaned the state of the road that connected the communities, said it took three days for them to get the council headquarters during the rainy season.

    Odey pointed out that the communities lacked social amenities ranging from water, health facilities, and road that should enhance the living standard of humans.

    According to him, “any aspiration that does not change the life of the people is a wasted investment.

    “I am happy that you know that the road is one of our major problems, just so you know that it takes us three days to connect the local government headquarters during the rains.

    “No hospital, no road, no boreholes; no dividends of democracy in this community in the last seven years.”

    Earlier, the PDP governorship candidate had described the road as an “eyesore” that a responsible government ought to have taken care of for the benefit of inhabitants of the 16 communities.

    Onor promised that if voted into office, his administration would construct the raod within two years.

    “What we have seen of this road is nothing we can draw satisfaction from.

    “It is supposed to be a rural road but of course, it is nothing less of what the present administration has reduced this state to.

    “My government will not be known for making bogus promises; we can only promise what we can do and not we can’t do,” he stated.

  • Darkness reigns as poor lighting mars Calabar Carnival

    Darkness reigns as poor lighting mars Calabar Carnival

    Fun seekers who trooped out in their thousands to witness this year’s Calabar carnival have bemoaned the inability of the government to light up the city, especially the possession routes of the carnival.

    Some of the fun seekers spoke in separate interviews in Calabar on Wednesday at day six of the annual carnival.

    The respondents noted that the non-functional street lights on the routes robbed the carnival which started on a high note during the day of the shine it deserved.

    The 12km routes from Eleven Eleven Roundabout on the highway to Effio-Ette junction along Marian Road and down to the endpoint at the stadium.

    They noted that the government should have done better by ensuring the functionality of the street lights long before the carnival period.

    A respondent, Mr Pascal Bajie, an entrepreneur based in Calabar regretted that the 2022 edition of the carnival which last took place in 2019 lacked the usual glamour.

    He pointed out that before now the street lights that had only functioned occasionally for years, should have been fixed for the purpose of the carnival.

    According to him, I am actually disappointed in the government who are the organisers of the carnival, this amounts to a waste of time.

    “There is no fun because we can’t even record the procession this night because of non-functional street lights.”

    Similarly, Theresa Ogwu, who resides in Calabar said many of the fun seekers who came from outside the state would be greatly disappointed with this outcome.

    “The night activity was expected to be highly entertaining and fun to watch should there have been functional street lights.

    “You can see how poor the illumination is on the carnival routes. It wasn’t like this in previous editions and the government ought to know better.

    In previous editions, the street lights are usually turned on even before 6 pm but its 7:30 pm now and the lights are not on,” she told NAN.

    On his part, Mr Andy Akin, a visitor to the town, who also bemoaned the absence of street lights, said an international event like this that saw participants from no fewer than 14 countries should have better be organised.

    It would be recalled that the annual carnival which started during the administration of Donald Duke, has not been held for the past two years.

    The carnival was suspended in 2022 due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic while no reason was given for the carnival not holding in 2021.

    Efforts were still being made to put some facilities in place for the 2022 edition of the carnival which was hurriedly put up.

    The 2022 edition of the carnival on Tuesday suffered a tragic event when eight persons died and 29 were injured when a vehicle lost control and rammed into a crowd of onlookers during the day fifth day of the carnival.