National Commissioner for Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye, said the commission had to take its turn at the carnival to sensitise Cross River residents and visitors that came to enjoy the show.
Okoye said the commission’s decision to participate in the carnival was part of its enlightenment project to ensure that people collect their PVCs for voting, come 2023.
“Our responsibility is to ensure the PVCs are available to the people and to organise a free, fair and credible election.
“It is also to ensure that those Nigerians you say should win the 2023 election win; the time has come for us to organise the freest and fairest election in the continent of Africa,” he said.
Okoye emphasised that the commission does not report to any party or individuals but to the Nigerian people.
The daughter of President Muhammadu Buhari, Zarah, had, earlier, flagged off the carnival with the theme; “Agro Industrialisation”.
Zara said: “I flag off this carnival to the glory of God, in honour of departed souls, who lost their lives during the bikers carnival.”
Speaking earlier, Ayade expressed delight over the presence of Zarah at the carnival.
He said: “The presence of the daughter of our President and my friend Amodu Sherif shows, indeed, we are one Nigeria. Today is the day we are flagging off the carnival Calabar, the main carnival proper.”
“It is significant because this is my last outing; significant because the President has said he identifies with Cross River State, he identifies with the challenge we have had, particularly the incident of yesterday.”
Speaking on the carnival theme, the governor said:
“Africa cannot continue to be a hub for the export of raw materials. Africa should start processing her raw materials to finished products and export to Europe and America. That is the core message of this theme.”
