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From Judex Okoro, Calabar
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart, Chief Obi Achara, have hailed President Bola Tinubu for appointing Cross Riverians into key positions in the new administration, saying it is a commitment to the promise of government of national unity.
Speaking in a telephone interview, Obi, who hails from Mbube ward in Ogoja local government area in northern Cross River senatorial district, said never in political history has the state been so favoured under APC- led government since 2014.
He disclosed that under President Muhammadu Buhari, Cross River got juicy positions in the positions of Chief Of Naval staff, Head of Service of the federation (HOSF), Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), minister of state for power among others.
According to him, “the gesture continued as President Tinubu has appointed John Owan-Enoh, Dr. Beta Edu and Mr. Asu Okang as ministers of Sports, Humanitarian Affairs and commissioner into NDDC board respectively.
“The President went further to demonstrate commitment to his promise of running a government of national unity by spreading appointments across board not minding party affiliation and religious inclinations. That is the kind of leader we want at this critical stage of our development and I doff off my heart for him for bowing to work with PDP, LP and others.
“For now, we need people that can perform, who are competent, who have ideas and have capacity to deliver the President’s reform agenda. Such people must not necessarily be die-hard party members. We don’t need people who see political positions as entitlement simply because they are in the ruling party. I think Nigeria has gone beyond that at the moment.”
On the protests by Cross River APC and some youths against Asu Okang nomination into NDDC board, Obi, said it is quite unfortunate that people are protesting against a fellow Cross Riverians, who “is competent has capacity to deliver”, adding that “the President has won the hearts of Nigerians by such across-the- board- appointments where tribe and party does not matter in the present circumstance.”
He decried the new politicking by where the leaders in dissipate energy sponsoring protests and hiring crowd at home and in Abuja to protest against a fellow Cross Riverians, saying “‘it is the height of political witch haunt and it breeds unhealthy rivalry in our political system, bad blood among the elites who should rather close ranks while we socket to the centre to attract development and dividends of democracy.
“I expect Cross River youths to protest against incessant kidnapping going on in the state and the hundreds of potholes dotted across the state and not being a wiling tool to protest against a fellow youth who had been nominated into a position in NDDC board.
“The youths should rather emulate the like of Dr. Beta Edu, who has risen from the position of Special Adviser in the former Governor Ben Ayade government to now a minister within a short period of time. And this is attributed to her hardwork, commitment and zeal to excel in any position she finds herself.
“I, therefore, urge the President to ignore such protests and continue his rebuilding process and good works across the nation by bringing in men and women of proven integrity and are ready to work for greater majority of the neglected masses.”
