by By Elijah Ugani
Ikom Traditional Rulers Council has berated Gov Ben Ayade over what they described as abysmal performance, citing the filthy and stinking nature of the once beautiful streets of Calabar and his deliberate attempts to undermine the functions of the traditional institution, and stressed that some of them were given clan Heads seven years ago, but they are still receiving stipends as Village Heads.
Speaking on behalf of the Traditional Rulers Council, as was delegated by HRM Ntolemang Dr Peter NfuKu, Paramount Ruler of Ikom Local Government Council, the Clan Head of Ekpokpo, HRH Ntun Bassey Okey, during a consultative forum by the People’s Democratic Party PDP Campaign Council, held on the 19th January 2023, at Ikom, the traditional leaders held that “Some of us were given clan heads seven years ago and we are still receiving the stipends of a village head. Village heads have not been certificate.
“Some of the Village Heads are yet to be issued certificates which makes it very difficult for them to discharge their duties. Their subjects challenge them and tell them that they are not recognized as Village Heads”.
Speaking further, royal father averred that the once beautiful streets of Calabar has been littered with refuse against the intentions of Gov Donald Duke. “Refuse has taken over the streets of Calabar against the intentions of Gov Donald Duke.
“Duke did everything humanly possible to put us on global recognition. Our schools are shattered, everything is gone. Very unfortunate that under this present APC government that promised us change, we have seen the change, everything has changed from good to bad. Our children know when they go to school, but don’t know when they will graduate.
“Nigerian has changed from good to bad. In Cross River State, we don’t have anybody who can revive us apart from what we have seen here today.
“We would speak to our ancestors and they would listen to us and you would win and succeed with your team. Success is yours from what we have seen. Go in peace”.
