Buhari’s Visit Excites Cross River Elders

There is palpable excitement in Cross River State as the state gets set to host President Muhammed Buhari on Monday, September 21. President Buhari is visiting the state to inaugurate the construction of the 260km Calabar-Kasina-ala super highway. The road is to serve as the evacuation route for another project, the Bakassi deep seaport. Both the super highway and the sea port are estimated to cost about N700 billion. Speaking on the impending visit of President Buhar, a former member of the Armed Forces Ruling Council and former chairman of the military wing of the Petroleum Trust Fund, General Edward Unimna, said it is a privilege that the President is visiting the state, stressing that this shows the high regards he has for the state. “It is a very good pointer that the state is doing well. I must commend the federal government for this confidence reposed on the state. When President Buhari selected Ayade to accompany him to the Cameroon, it was a clear indication that the President is happy with what our governor is doing and that the governor is working harmoniously with the Federal Government,” he opined. He said the visit is a clear pointer that the super highway would be a reality, just as it will clear a lot of fears as regards the project. Speaking in a similar vein, former military administration of Kwara State, Col Pam Ogar (Rtd) said the President’s visit is an assurance that the project would succeed. “First of all, it is reassuring that the president is bent on positive change. By his coming, he is telling us in this part of the country that he would support whoever is bringing about positive change irrespective of the party affiliation,” he said. He said the inauguration of the project portrays the governor as someone who keeps promise. According to him, the governor has shown that, “Politics is not all about fake promises. He is a governor who is justifying whatever he has promised.” Similarly, a former governor of the state, Chief Clement Ebri, said the people of the state can barely wait for the president’s visit. According to Ebri: “I am elated and can’t wait to see that happen. By choosing to embark on these projects, the Governor is virtually moving the mountains. I am totally in support of the Governor on these projects.” On the importance of the road, he said: “Having a road like that is an economic masterstroke, the trickle down effect of this road cannot be overstated.” The State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ntufam John Okon also expressed his delight about the President’s impending visit. He said the President’s action marks him as someone who does not allow party leaning to affect his commitment to development. “The President is our President. The PDP family will give him a rousing welcome. He is coming for our own good.” The PDP Chairman said he was proud of the governor, describing the road and sea port projects as a demonstration of the “wonderful imaginative strength of our governor.” Immediate past Senator for the Southern senatorial district, Senator Prince Bassey Out, commended Governor Ayade for initiating the project. Senator Otu also praised President Buhari for his transparent leadership and for playing politics that goes beyond party line, and wishes him the best as he visits the people’s paradise. In his own submission, a chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River, Chief Linus Okom, said: “Every Cross Riverian is happy that the president’s first visit to the South-south is to Cross River State. It is a clear confirmation that the president is transparent. His statement that he belongs to all and is a president for all Nigerians is true.”