Political Unrest: Cross River Journalists call for Calm
Photo Caption
Comrade Ushie
By our Correspondent
The Cross River State Journalists Forum (CROSSJOF) has condemned in strong terms the violence going on across the state, especially the recent alleged destruction of billboards and campaign materials in Ogoja Local government Area in Northern Cross River state.
According to a statement jointly signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the Forum, Comrades Ignatius Ushie and Francisca Ogah respectively in Abuja, the group described the development as unwarranted and totally out of place for civilized people whom the Ogoja people are noted for.
It reads in part, “we are totally dismayed by the distractions caused by the different political groups in the state viz;ย destroying of posters, billboards and other electioneering campaign materialsโ, adding that, โelection is not fighting one another,ย ย but a call to serve, if you can articulate your points, the electorates will know whom to choose, if you destroy what has been built, when you get to the office, what then will you do?”
The Forum further advised all political parties to carry out issue based campaigns and call on citizens to remain calm and law abiding while investigations into the dastardly act be investigated and culprits brought to book.
We call on the security personnel to be on alert and take charge of the situation in order toย forestall the breakdown of law and order.
โThe government should be tolerant of all and allow the votes of the electorate to count. Let all parties campaign freely and be allowed equal space in allย the media, be it government owned or private.
โWe call on all the citizens of the state to remain calm while urging the security agencies to investigate the matters and bring perpetrators to book. Cross River State belongs to all and all hands must be on deck to make it succeedโ.
