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Tag: Cross River

  • Two Cross River PDP Lawmakers join Ayade in APC

    Two Cross River PDP Lawmakers join Ayade in APC

    Two members of the House of Representatives, from Cross River State have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The two lawmakers are Lego Idagbo and Michael Etaba.

    It would be recalled that the Governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade recently decamped from the PDP to the APC.

    The defections were announced on Tuesday by the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila after reading letters from the two lawmakers.

    This defection is the latest in the gale of defection that continues to rock the PDP.

    The defections were protested by Toby Okechukwu, the deputy minority leader.

  • BREAKING: Cross River Governor Dumps PDP For APC

    BREAKING: Cross River Governor Dumps PDP For APC

    Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State has defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Top members of the ruling party, including governors and senators are currently at Government House, Calabar, where the defection was finalised.

    Details later…

  • Cross River group begs Lawan to swear-in Agom as Senator

    Cross River group begs Lawan to swear-in Agom as Senator

    A group, Concerned Stakeholders Forum, from Cross River State on Wednesday, urged the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, to swear in Jarigbe Agom as the duly elected senator for Cross River North.

    The group told journalists in Abuja that some powerful individuals were allegedly making efforts to frustrate the swearing in.

    The group said a recent court judgment recognised Agom as the Peoples Democratic Party candidate for the December 5 bye- election for Cross River North.

    The Leader of the group James Ikem said powerful forces were drumming support for the current occupant of the seat on the Upper Chamber, Senator Stephen Odey.

    The group claimed that Odey’s stay in the Senate had since been nullified by the Supreme Court.

    Ikem said, “I speak on behalf of many democrats in the state, we are worried over the turn of events in the case of Cross River North and we want the Senate president to act now and fast.

    “Stephen Odey whose Certificate of Return has been nullified, is still being allowed to take part in Plenary.

    “It’s an act that desecrates the sanctity of the Senate Chamber.

    “The Rule of Law should prevail. The Senate President should act on the Legal Advice by the Legal Department of the National Assembly and the recommendations of the Clerk of the National Assembly.

    “The Judgment of the Supreme Court is final. Our Institutions should not be desecrated.”

  • PDP Has Delivered Highest Victory Story In Cross River History – Gov Ayade

    PDP Has Delivered Highest Victory Story In Cross River History – Gov Ayade

    Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade, has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has delivered the highest victory story in the state under his watch.

    Ayade stated this on Monday while receiving his Bauchi State counterpart, Bala Mohammed at the Government House in Calabar.

    Mohammed is in Cross River State on a solidarity visit following an internal PDP party crisis ongoing in the state.

    Addressing the party faithfully, Governor Ayade said though people are looking up to him, he is not desperate selecting his successor in 2023.

    “Under my watch, PDP has delivered the highest victory story in the history of Cross River State. So it is not now that somebody can discuss what structures or strategy I need,” he said.

    “Your visit, therefore, is a watershed and our private discussions very clear to me. I do know there are a lot of people looking up to me for 2023.

    “I can’t afford to make a decision just for my sake. I am not desperate in putting a successor but I am desperate for their well-being.”

    On his part, Governor Mohammed said the need for the party to remain United cannot be overemphasized especially as the country gradually tilts towards the next political era.

    He however commended Ayade for connecting to the people of the state politically.

    “You are inexorably connected in terms of perception, vision and where we want to take the country together and because our forefathers have been together in this kind of thing, we are connected intellectually and politically.

    “There must be structures put in place to make sure that the affairs and aspirations of all Nigerians, especially our leaders are reached,” he said.

  • 13 corps members test positive for COVID-19 at Cross River camp

    13 corps members test positive for COVID-19 at Cross River camp

    13 Corps members have reportedly tested positive for Coronavirus at Cross River State NYSC orientation camp.

    The Commissioner for Health in Cross River State Betta Edu who commented on the 13 new cases recorded in the state on Sunday January 24, the highest so far in the state, said;

    “We had people who came in from the NYSC, about 13 of them were positive cases. So, these are people who moved into our state from other states.

    “The other ones are people who are residents in the state.

    “However, it clearly shows that the second wave of the COVID-19 is here on us, so people need to improve on their level of adherence to all the COVID-19 protocols.

    “It is also a call for the federal government to see that they can immediately come in and help Cross River State fix their lab so that we can do community sampling and testing and really have a true picture of what might be going on in communities, as we already do know that community spread is taking place.”

  • INEC presents certificate of return to Cross Rivers senator-elect Agom

    INEC presents certificate of return to Cross Rivers senator-elect Agom

    Jarigbe Agom has been issued a certificate of return by the Independent National Electoral Commission as the Senator representing Cross River North Senatorial District.

    The short ceremony took place at the Abuja INEC Headquarters.

    Recall that INEC had earlier issued a Certificate of Return to Stephen Odey after the December 5 by-election.

    Both Jarigbe and Odey were contesting the Peoples Democratic Party ticket before the election. But an appeal court suit No. CV/77/2020 brought about the issuance of Certificate of Return to Jarigbe.

    The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal had declared Jarigbe as the duly nominated candidate of the PDP and the rightful winner of the election against Odey who was earlier declared winner by INEC and sworn in by the Senate.

    The court further ordered INEC to immediately issue a Certificate of Return to Jarigbe and withdraw the one earlier issued to Odey.

    INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of its information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, who presented the certificate to Senator Jarigbe Agom on behalf of the commission, said as a law abiding institution, INEC has no choice but to comply with the court order.

  • Cross River C.P Jimoh Ibrahim, allegedly dies of COVID-19

    Cross River C.P Jimoh Ibrahim, allegedly dies of COVID-19

    The Cross River State Commissioner of Police, Jimoh Ibrahim has died from suspected COVID-19. 

    It was gathered that the police boss died on Friday, December 18, at the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Isolation Centre in the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, UCTH Calabar.  

    However, a source close to the family, told Vanguard that Ibrahim was rushed to UCTH on Friday morning, December 18, where he died of pneumonia complications.

    “Nobody should tell you he died of COVID-19 but the doctors said he died of pneumonia.” the source claimed.

    A police source said the CP was diabetic and had complained of not feeling well for some time.

    “They have told us to report today at State Police Command headquarters by  3.00 pm to solidarity with him as he is to be given an award for excellent services but nobody told us he is dead.” the source said.

  • Looting: Gov Ayade orders house to house search of looted items in Cross River state

    Looting: Gov Ayade orders house to house search of looted items in Cross River state

    Governor Ben Yade of Cross River state has ordered security agencies in the state to embark on a house to house search to recover all items looted from public and private business places in the state.

    Over the weekend, looters broke into over 35 government and private properties, looted several items, and set some buildings ablaze.

    Reacting to the incidents, Governor Ayade in a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Christian Ita, gave the security agents a marching order to begin house to house search for the stolen items.

    “Following the deployment of more soldiers to Calabar to help quell violence, Cross River Governor, Sir Ben Ayade has asked security agencies in the State to take legitimate actions to halt the arson and carnage witnessed in some parts of Calabar.

    The governor also wants the security agents to carry out a house to house search for looted property and arrest everyone involved in the looting of both public and private property in the state” the statement in part read

  • NUJ blacklists Cross River govt over Fani-Kayode’s attack on journalist

    NUJ blacklists Cross River govt over Fani-Kayode’s attack on journalist

    The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Cross River State Council has blacklisted the State Government (Cross River) from any media coverage by all members of union in the state.

    The union in a communiqué issued at the end of an emergency congress of the state council held on Thursday, August 27, 2020, at the Ernest Etim Bassey Press Centre, Calabar, the council regretted the organization of an illegal press conference thereby creating a platform for former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode (FFK) to abuse and insult a journalist, Mr. Eyo Charles of the Daily Trust Newspaper.

    The group mandated the state council to immediately communicate in writing to all media organisations to withdraw their correspondents from Government House and stop them from covering or reporting any activity of the State Government until the issue is resolved.

    Congress restates its total support for and stands with the Daily Trust Correspondent, Eyo Charles on the question that resulted in the unprovoked outburst.

    “Congress directs that the State Council to issue warning letters to members who attended the press conference and did not do anything to protect their colleague after which each of them is to individually write an apology letter through the State Council to the National Leadership of the Union with a firm promise never to violet the rules and regulations guiding the Journalism practice.

    “Congress hereby resolves that henceforth all press briefings by any individual (s), public or private organizations must be held at the NUJ Press Centre, unless as may be directed by the State Council’ the communiqué stated.

    The communiqué signed Communiqué drafting Committee; Richard Ndoma of Leadership Newspaper and Comrade Oka Ibor, State Secretary of NUJ and the Chairman, Comrade Victor Udu warned that any journalist that organizes or attends any press briefing not approved by the State Council shall be sanctioned.

    “In line with NEC resolution on the proscription of beats, Congress directs the immediate proscription of the illegally operated Cross River State Government House Press Corps. Congress hereby thanks the National Leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalist, Management of Daily Trust Newspaper, Civil Societies, Community Based and Faith-based Organisations, religious leaders, members of local and international organisations, groups and individuals for defending the truth.”

    Sadly, the congress condemns the verbal insult and abuse from FFK and noted that such words could only come out of the lips of a frustrated, immature, bankrupt, irresponsible and unsteady mind and accordingly blacklisted the former Minister of Aviation from all media activities in the State.

    The Union lamented the recent outburst from the former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode with the Cross River State Correspondent of Daily Trust Newspaper, Mr. Eyo Charles during an illegal press conference organized by the Cross River State Government, on Thursday, August 20, 2020 and subsequent reaction from deferent segments of the society.

  • Gov. Ayade’s aide, council chairman collaborate against cultism in C/River

    Gov. Ayade’s aide, council chairman collaborate against cultism in C/River

    Mr Cyril James-Omini, Special Assistant to Gov. Ben Ayade on security has sought the collaboration of the Chairman, Yakurr Local Government, Mr Ofem Lebras, in curbing cultism in the area.
    James-Omini, who paid a courtesy visit to the chairman in Yakurr local government on Tuesday, said the synergy was to help curb all forms of insecurity in the area.
    According to him, the synergy will help both parties look inward and fashion out ways to enhance peace and unity in the area.
    He said that his mandate was to ensure that cases of insecurity, cultism, communal clash and all forms of civil unrest were properly managed for peace to reign.
    “The security of lives and properties is of utmost importance to the state. As an appointee of government, my mandate is to work with the council chairman, traditional rulers, youths and all stakeholders in ensuring that peace reigns in Yakurr.
    “I am happy to inform you that I have met with the traditional rulers and some youth groups, we had a fruitful deliberations on the need to embrace peace and support Governor Ayade’s administration.
    “I am in your office today to collaborate with you on measures that will ensure peaceful coexistence among all indigenes and residents of Yakurr area,” he said.
    Reposnding, the council chairman said the area had witnessed peace since the intervention of James-Omini in settling the dispute between rival cult groups.
    He expressed his readiness to work with James-Omini in ensuring that absolute peace was returned to the area.
    “I want to thank the governor for appointing you at this time when we need peace in Yakurr. From what you have done so far, I must say that am impressed with your actions.
    “Going forward, we will visit all the warring communities and preach peace to them because we want everyone to be on the same page with us,” Lebras said.
    The chairman gave assurance of total support in all the aide’s activities in the area, and urged him to be proactive in his duty. (NAN)