Group Condemns Portrait Peterson’s Diatribe Against Gov. Otu

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The Veteran Journalists Forum in Cross River State has complete­ly condemned the unwarranted attacks on the ‘People-First’ ad­ministration of Governor Bassey Edet Otu by a public affairs com­mentator, Portrait Peterson.

In a statement, jointly signed by Mr. Charles Eniang, Dr Eniang Ndem, Mr. Samuel Egbala, Mr Eyoeyo Asuquo, Mr Emma Akpong, and Mr Anietie Ben, the Forum wondered why Portrait Peterson chose to use the social media platform to un­dermine and disparage a widely acclaimed top-performing gov­ernor, whose achievements are visible for everyone to see.

According to the group, “Our attention has been drawn to the public outburst by one Portrait Paterson that appeared in the so­cial media alleging various acts of maladministration against the governor of Cross River State, Senator (Prince) Bassey Otu.

“It is not our intention to join issues with him nor to do public relations stunt for the govern­ment, but as independent asses­sors, we are well disposed, make bold and submit as follows:

“That the Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency Sen. Prince Bassey Otu, has done sat­isfactorily well within his three years in the saddle as governor of the state and we will not fold our hands and watch anyone run him down.

“Judging from the position that the state was at its lowest ebb when he took over, the governor has turned around the affairs of governance and has successfully lifted the state from the position of despondency to the position of viable social, political and economic significance.

“It is on record that when the governor took over the mantle of leadership, he expressed his commitment not to probe his pre­decessor, but to build on the areas of need for the people of the state.

“Consequently, Governor Otu intensified efforts at clearing re­fuse heaps that littered the land­scape of the state and Calabar the state capital in particular.

“We recall the desilting of the Watt market which was blocked and overflooded, thereby provid­ing space and a cleaner environ­ment for business in the market.

“Credit must be given to the governor for cultivation of aesthetic values of the en­vironment and corporate in­stitutions that have provided a reasonable framework for good governance.

“We therefore wish to remind Paterson that not only has the governor developed the strate­gic public places, especially the botanical garden in Calabar, but that the governor has equally built a new Governor’s Lodge in Ogoja and other projects.