By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
A youth group operating in Cross River State under the aegis of ‘True Friends of Yala,’ has comdemned the call by some faceless individuals demanding the removal the name of Mrs. Beatrice Igwe, from the list of Commissioner nominees sent to the state House of Assembly by Governor Bassey Otu.
The group made the call yesterday in Calabar, while reacting to statements making the rounds in various news media by faceless individuals, who branded Mrs Igwe as political neophyte.
The group’s spokesperson, Mr. Ipoule Ogar, stated that with Igwe as commissioner, everyone would be carried along.
Mr Ogar stressed that many were assisted with school fees and pocket money in her previous place of employment, when she worked as Bursar at the University of Calabar.
He said, “As peaceful individuals whose agenda is for the peaceful co-existence of Yala nation, we urged our brothers to sheath their sword against Beatrice Igwe.
“We state categorically that the nomination of Beatrice Igwe is not borne out of any evil motive as claimed by her persecutors. Instead, it’s for the good of the people, with no evil intention of clandestine moves so to speak.
“Her nomination should be seen as a thing of joy as her wealth of experience would be used to assist the state in whatever responsibility she is given.
“Lets us categorically state here that Beatrice Igwe would not be a drain pipe as alleged by her attackers, instead she would be an asset to her primary place of assignment and indeed the entire state once she crossed the state Assembly huddle to become a commissioner.
“We are not against people having their perceptions and holding opinion differently from what the real situation on ground is.
“However to damage one’s reputation and make attempt to bring down the reputation of other persons and cause others to avoid and shun an individual, even when there are no facts is what we are against.
“Let’s assure Governor Otu and all Cross Riverians in general that having Mrs Igwe as a commissioner-designate was a right step in the right direction, as her appointment would be a value addition to the Senator Otu led-administration.
“We are not angry that Beatrice Igwe is being vilified, after all, like an old adage that says that unless a tree bears good fruit, it would never be stoned, what she is facing now us as a result of her competence.
“Because those stoning the tree does so to enable them pluck fruits to quench hunger because of the edible fruits the tree bears. So Igwe cannot be any exception. Attack on her personality is probably because she carried weight and she is resourceful.
“As a group, we say categorically that the allegations leveled against her were politically motivated or borne out of personally hatred or jealousy.
“However as a lover of all, we assure you that Igwe holds no grudge against any one. This is why we appealled that her persecutors should allow Mrs. Igwe to breath.”
