A youth group, Cross River State Youth Success Institute (CRSYSI), has warned the River state Governor, Nyesom Wike, to stop insulting Governor Ben Ayade and the people of the state.
The group in a press statement by the Executive Director, Rt Hon Awatt Ekpenyong, Friday in Calabar, averred that although they were apolitical and not part of the numerous appointees of government, they would not fold their hands and watch the Rivers state governor insult Ayade and the people of the state with impunity.
The statement read in part: “As citizens under the umbrella of Cross River State Youth Success Institute and its allied youth organizations and stakeholders, we condemn in its entirety the venom, arrogance and campaign of calumny unleashed by Governor Ezenwo Nyesom Wike of Rivers state on the Governor of Cross River state.
“One would have ordinarily ignored Governor Wike’s public utterances if it were meant as a corrective programme in an effort to build a virile, stable society for the present while forecasting the future but Wike’s approach is destructive and is calculated to snare the Governor of Cross River state and its people.
“Although no society is not without its peculiarity, Cross River state cannot be run through the Governor of River state. He has no such authority, neither has the constitution made such provision. To think otherwise is tantamount to a plan of annexation and parochialism.
“Wike should be reminded that Ayade is the Executive Governor of Cross River state who enjoys full mandate of the people of Cross River.
“Ayade’s style is based on his vision and plans for his people. Ayade’s leadership has been purposeful and dedicated to the course of the people.
“Over 6,000, to say the least, especially youths have been engaged. Entrepreneurial development and industrialization has been another focus area of the Ayade-led administration. Wike should leave Cross River state alone. Ayade is okay for us.”
