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Protest Erupts In Calabar Municipality Over Removal Of SUBEB Chairman
Fresh tension is brewing in Calabar Municipality where women and youths of Ikot Ishie community staged a protest against the removal of Esu Effiong as Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB.
The demonstrators, chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards, described the removal as unjust and a deliberate slight on Calabar Municipality, warning that their loyalty during the last election should not be repaid with betrayal.
Placards with inscriptions like “ISHIE COMMUNITY GAVE YOU THE HIGHEST VOTES, WHY?” and “BRING BACK OUR CHAIRMAN” were brandished as protesters took over the streets of Ikot Ishie.
Women in wrappers danced and wailed, while youths waved branches and slowed traffic, accusing the government of sidelining their constituency.
Another protester warned that with elections approaching, such treatment of Calabar Municipality could have dire political consequences.
The state government has however, announced the appointment of Fidelia Ene as the new SUBEB Chairman.
Meanwhile, the state Commissioner for Information, Erasmus Ekpang, explained that Governor Bassey Otu’s decision was not intended to spite Esu or the people of Calabar Municipality, but was purely an administrative decision in the best interest of the state.
For now, the calls remain loud and clear from Calabar Municipality.
Whether the state government yields to that pressure or maintains its position remains to be seen in the days ahead.