The government of Cross River State has publicly praise President Bola Tinubu for honoring the wishes of the people after Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart ASU Okang was replaced as the state’s commissioner on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
This was said by the administration to a group of teenagers on Saturday afternoon as they marched from the UJ Esuene Stadium to the state House of Assembly’s grounds.
The state governor, Prince Bassey Otu, was speaking on behalf of the president through his chief of staff, Emmanuel Ironbar. He stated that while the president may have been foolish to support Okang, by swiftly appointing Mr. Orok Duke in his place, he had increased public confidence.
The governor said,
“The president has made us very proud and has shown himself as a true democrat and a listening president. By rescinding the appointment of one Mr Asu Okang, according to the public demand of our people, it shows that the president loves our state much.
“His action has reinforced our faith and deep love for our party”, he said.
The governor commended the party’s supporters and youths for their peaceful disposition throughout the saga, advising them to persist on peace.
Speaking earlier in a similar vein, the Speaker said the president’s swift response has changed their earlier position.
He said the Assembly was to have reacted in an unfriendly manner over the appointment, which made them deeply unhappy.
“Had the president not reacted favourably to the popular desire of the people, the Assembly had taken a position that whereas the executive arm of state government may take a diplomatic towards the matter, we were not to be soft. But we are grateful to the president for swiftly repealing the appointment.”
The Speaker insisted that the state governor must always be consulted in all matters about the state.
Barrister Ekpenyong Akiba, a key aide to the governor, said the appointment of Okang came to them as a big shock and embarrassment.