Tom Chiahemen
By Patrick Abang (CALABAR) –
Governor of Cross River State, South-South Nigeria, Ben Ayade, on Monday suspended the 2021 Calabar Carnival.
The Governor’s suspension of the 2021 Carnival at State Executive Council Chamber, took many by surprise as the governor had last week announced that the 2021 carnival will hold.
The stakeholders meeting was attended by carnival band leaders, Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Eteng Jones Williams, members of the State Executive Council, local government chairmen from the 18 council areas of the state.
Governor Ayade cited the health concerns arising from the outbreak of COVID-19 variant, Omicron as well as prevailing security situation as reasons for the suspension.
The governor said he would not compromise the lives and safety of the citizens for the fleeting excitement of the carnival.
Before announcing the suspension, Ayade had subjected the decision to popular votes, following which majority of the stakeholders voted for the suspension of the carnival.
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