Cross Riverians React To Supreme Court Judgement, Pledge Support For Imoke

CALABAR, January 27, (THEWILL) A Cross sections of Cross Riverians have reacted to Friday’s Supreme Court judgment, which terminated the extended tenure of five state governors including Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River.
 
Placards-carrying residents in large numbers trooped to the streets of Calabar singing pro-Imoke songs as they stormed the Governor’s Office Complex, Calabar, demanding to be briefed on the implications of the Supreme Court ruling.
 
The Chairman of Calabar South Local Government Area, Hon. Ekeng Henshaw, who spoke on behalf of the crowd that chanted “we want Imoke”, said the peaceful demonstration was a solidarity rally in support of Imoke and that their visit was to have a clear knowledge of the judgement.
 
“We just heard a sad news and we have come to find out for ourselves because we are confused and we called to have a clear knowledge,” Henshaw explained.
 
Responding, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Mike Aniah, confirmed the story to be true, adding that Imoke being a man of due process has taken the judgement in his strides because this was not the first time such a thing was happening in the State.
 
Aniah noted that Imoke will bounce back stronger than before and assured that nothing has changed in the State, advising that they should not entertain any fear as rumour mongers and enemies of the State could capitalize on the situation to spread false information.
 
He disclosed that the judgement does not affect the outcome of the just concluded State PDP governorship primaries and that the governor will contest the election anytime the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) releases the timetable, stating that the judgement has given him more time to carry out his campaign.
 
At the State PDP Secretariat, the State Chairman of the Party, Ntufam Ekpo Okon thanked the crowd for supporting the PDP and always being there for Imoke “and as law abiding people we will abide by that judgement even though we feel very pained”; assuring that the decision of the primaries stands as the national headquarters of the Party had submitted the name of Liyel Imoke and his running mate, Mr. Efiok Cobham, to INEC as the State’s Party flag bearers.
 
Okon asked party faithfuls not to worry but get back to the field because if the election should hold on April 14, 2012 as scheduled by INEC, the people of Cross River State will speak again and the judgement of the people will be the ultimate judgement; urging people to remain calm and peaceful because Imoke likes peace and always promote peace.
 
The appellants challenged the decision of the Court of Appeal, Abuja, which upheld the decision of an Abuja Federal High Court that extended the tenure of the five governors beyond May 29, 2011.