Cross River NUJ charges Ayade on council polls, new cabinet

• Wants Immediate Release Of Jalingo
The Cross River State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called on the state government to put in place duly elected Local Government officials and a State Executive Council (Exco) for the smooth running of government. 

The union commented that for over four years the state has remained without elected council officials and since May 29 when Governor Ben Ayade was sworn-in, he is yet to inaugurate a cabinet.

In a communiqué issued, yesterday, from its Congress, presided by the state Chairman, Comrade Victor Udu and the Secretary, Ukar Ibor, it  noted that “a situation where power is over-concentrated at the centre at state level, is unhealthy for democratic growth.”Meanwhile, the Association of Cross River Online Journalists (ACROJ) has condemned the continuous and unlawful detention of the Publisher and Editor in Chief of Cross River Watch, Mr. Agba Jalingo for nine days without trial. 

Consequently, the association also called for the immediate and unconditional release of Jalingo.Chairman, ACROJ, Edem Darlington in a release yesterday said, “we want to draw the attention of all Nigerians and indeed the whole world to the increasing hostility towards journalists and critics of government in Cross River State.

“Today, Journalists and critics of government have become endangered. Cross River State has taken a huge leap backwards in terms of the protection of journalists.”