 |
Press Statement | May 16 2026
...Desperation Overrides Reason, Propaganda Becomes The Last Refuge
The attention of concerned stakeholders and lovers of peace in Akamkpa Local Government Area has been drawn to the mischievous and emotionally charged “open letter” purportedly addressed to His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, Governor of Cross River State.
Ordinarily, such a publication drenched in bitterness, political frustration, and deliberate distortion of facts would not deserve a response. However, silence in the face of calculated falsehood may wrongly be interpreted as consent. It therefore becomes necessary to put the records straight and expose the hypocrisy, desperation, and arrogance behind the said publication.
First and foremost, the so-called open letter is not only misleading, but a direct insult on the office, personality, and integrity of the Governor of Cross River State, a man who has consistently demonstrated uncommon patience, fairness, maturity, and commitment to democratic inclusion.
It is laughable and unfortunate that individuals who were given every opportunity to present their grievances through the appropriate channels suddenly resorted to emotional blackmail and public propaganda after failing to manipulate the process to suit their selfish interests.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Governor never shut his doors against consultation, dialogue, or engagement. Both parties involved were given equal opportunities to state their positions, air their concerns, and seek peaceful resolutions. Rather than approach the process with maturity and political wisdom, their benefactor chose the path of needless confrontation, fault-finding, and political arrogance, even where no offence existed.
In the end, he merely succeeded in shooting himself on the foot.
One cannot continue to insult leadership, undermine party structure, disregard political elders, and still expect sympathy from the same system one persistently seeks to ridicule. Politics is not built on tantrums, entitlement mentality, or media intimidation. It is built on respect, loyalty, consultation, patience, and capacity.
The claim that “few people cannot decide the future of 140,000 people” is not only deceptive but intellectually dishonest. Political leadership across the world thrives on consultation, consensus building, party structures, and internal mechanisms recognized by law and tradition. Democracy is not synonymous with mob sentiment or social media agitation sponsored by disgruntled elements seeking relevance.
Across the 18 LGAs, decision of who should represent them are agreed upon through consensus from the elders and presented to the Governor, or through interface with the Governor which has been accepted by all. It's quite unfortunate that the Commissioner for Works & Infrastructure through his media aide, Marcel Edem has continued to fan the ember of hatred, dissatisfaction, heating the polity and inciting the public against the same administration his boss, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Ankpo Pius is a major beneficiary.
Calling for open primary when a consensus has been agreed upon and pronounced by the Governor, is further questioning the wisdom of the Governor to seek the path of peace.
Calling for open primary is akin to returning Akamkpa to the gory days in Akamkpa of political violence.
Ironically, these person who are crying about exclusion, they were the same individuals who ignored wise counsel, rejected reconciliation efforts, and arrogantly dismissed political elders when peace was still achievable.
This is exactly why the Governor, in his wisdom and fatherly disposition, gave the timeless instruction:
“Go and learn how to respect your elders.”
That statement was not an insult. It was advice rooted in experience, discipline, political culture, and moral responsibility. Sadly, rather than reflect on those words, some individuals chose to escalate tensions through blackmail, propaganda, and public grandstanding.
Respect for elders is a foundational value in African society and remains critical in leadership and political engagement. No society progresses where younger political actors continuously insult, undermine, and challenge constituted authority simply because events did not favour their ambitions.
Furthermore, the attempt to portray Akamkpa as a divided and oppressed political entity is completely false. Akamkpa remains peaceful, politically active, and fully aligned with the vision of the Governor and the progressive direction of the administration.
The Governor’s “People First” mantra is evident across Cross River State through infrastructural development, strategic appointments, empowerment programmes, and deliberate efforts to carry all stakeholders along. Akamkpa has not been excluded from these gains. Therefore, it is dishonest for a few frustrated political actors to weaponize the emotions of the people simply because personal ambitions did not materialize as expected.
Those hiding under the guise of “concerned stakeholders” must understand that democracy also demands responsibility, decorum, and political maturity. You cannot claim to seek peace while simultaneously insulting leadership and attempting to incite public resentment against constituted authority.
His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, remains a listening leader, a democrat, and a statesman whose calm disposition should never be mistaken for weakness. The Governor has shown fairness to all parties and continues to prioritize unity, stability, and the collective interest of Cross River State above individual political desperation.
History will indeed remember this moment, not for propaganda and emotional outbursts, but for the Governor’s maturity in the face of provocation and for the lessons it teaches about humility, respect, and political discipline.
Akamkpa does not belong to noise makers. Akamkpa does not belong to political blackmailers. Akamkpa belongs to responsible leaders and peaceful citizens committed to unity, progress, and development.
Those who truly love Akamkpa must abandon bitterness, sheath their swords, respect constituted authority, and embrace constructive engagement rather than inflammatory propaganda.
No amount of sponsored outrage can substitute for political wisdom. No amount of emotional blackmail can replace respect. And no amount of noise can override disciplined leadership.
E-Signed,
Concerned Progressives and Peace Loving Stakeholders of Akamkpa Local Government Area
0 comments: