The Cross River State Government has dismissed reports that the state’s Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, was involved in an automobile accident.
The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Deputy Governor’s Press Secretary, Fred Abua, Esq., who described the viral report as inaccurate and misleading.
According to the statement, the incident occurred on Sunday, August 9, while the Deputy Governor was returning from Northern Cross River State, where he had represented Governor Bassey Otu at a stakeholder engagement on the proposed concession of the Obudu Ranch Resort.
Abua explained that while the convoy was passing through Yakurr Local Government Area, the driver of the Government House Press bus reportedly lost control of the vehicle and crashed into barricades at an Army checkpoint.
He stressed that the vehicle involved was a Toyota Hiace purchased brand new in 2024, countering claims that it was an old vehicle.
“No other vehicle was involved in the incident, no life was lost, and only minor injuries were recorded among some of the occupants of that particular vehicle,” the statement said.
The injured persons were immediately evacuated from the scene and taken for medical attention.
The Press Secretary added that all the staff who were in the vehicle were in stable condition and had since resumed work.
He further clarified that the Deputy Governor was not in the vehicle involved in the incident and was not affected by the accident.
“The Deputy Governor himself was not involved in the incident and continued his journey safely to Calabar,” Abua said.
The Deputy Governor’s Office urged members of the public to disregard what it described as exaggerated versions of the incident circulating online and rely on official communications from the Cross River State Government for accurate information.
The statement also thanked concerned citizens and members of the media for their interest, assuring the public of the government’s commitment to transparency and the timely dissemination of factual information.