CALABAR — The Cross River State Patriotic Front has vowed to engage directly with key authorities in Abuja over what it described as continuous injustice and marginalisation of the State by the Federal Government. This was made known at the group’s inaugural World Press Conference held in Calabar, where members passionately articulated grievances concerning federal appointments, infrastructural neglect, and political underrepresentation.

Addressing the Press, the Director-General of the organisation, Honourable Castro Adoga Ezama, condemned the withdrawal of ministerial slots initially allocated to Cross River State. According to him, the State began the current federal administration with two substantive ministers, one of which was swiftly withdrawn while the remaining portfolio was downgraded to a Minister of State.

He also lamented the recent reconstitution of the board of the Cross River Basin Development Authority, which he claimed disproportionately favoured neighbouring Akwa Ibom State — receiving four slots compared to just two for Cross River. In the same vein, he criticised the appointment of an Akwa Ibom indigene as Managing Director of the newly established South South Development Commission (SSDC), despite the commission being a brainchild of a senator from Cross River.

Highlighting a broader pattern of exclusion, Ezama noted the absence of any Cross Riverian on the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC), calling for an immediate redress of what he described as a deeply unfair situation.

Dr Macfarlene Ejah, another leading voice at the conference, revisited the historic loss of the Bakassi Peninsula, stressing that the controversial Green Tree Agreement should not strip Cross River State of its oil-producing status or economic relevance. He also expressed dismay that the State continues to face neglect despite being instrumental in the formation of the SSDC.

Dr Tessy Nuela Anyin spoke emphatically about the marginalisation of women from Cross River, stating that the State had also lost its claim to the position of APC National Women Leader. She urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whom she described as a “patriot of goodwill” and advocate for the girl child, to ensure gender and regional balance in future appointments.

Citizen Ekanem Essien, also a member of the Front, traced the State’s earlier strong representation at the national level, questioning the unexplained reversal in fortune. He called on the President and the national chairman of the APC to restore justice and equity in favour of Cross River.

Similarly, Mr Friday Oleja urged the press to note that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees fair representation of all States in federal appointments. He asserted that the current imbalance contravenes this legal standard.

Of significant concern was the continued neglect of the Calabar Port and the Calabar-Itu Federal Highway. Mr Patrick Ali expressed anger over the Federal Government’s focus on Lagos Port alone, pointing out the overstretched nature of Lagos’s port operations while Calabar’s remains largely idle. He called for urgent action to revitalise maritime activities in Calabar and rehabilitate critical road infrastructure.

The Cross River State Patriotic Front concluded that its primary mission is to ensure the State receives fair and equal treatment as a pivotal member of the Nigerian federation, considering its immense contributions to national unity and development.