Cross River State, particularly its capital Calabar, remained peaceful as residents largely shunned the nationwide protest against bad governance.
Despite the anticipation of mass demonstrations, only a few protesters, numbering less than twenty, were seen in the state. This apathy towards the protest ensured that the state was calm, with people going about their normal business activities.
The Cross River State Government had earlier cautioned residents against participating in the planned protest. In a statement released by the Commissioner for Information, Erasmus Ekpang, the government highlighted the proactive measures taken by Governor Bassey Edet Otu's administration to alleviate the economic hardships faced by citizens.
These measures included various palliative schemes aimed at fostering economic growth and improving the quality of life.
Ekpang also recounted the significant destruction caused during the October 2020 #EndSARS protests, which saw public infrastructure and private properties damaged extensively. He urged residents to avoid any actions that could lead to similar chaos and assured them that security agencies were on high alert to prevent any untoward incidents.
In contrast to the unrest seen in other parts of Nigeria, where protests turned violent, Calabar's major markets, stores, and artisan shops opened later in the day after initial fears of vandalism subsided. Security operatives were deployed early in the morning to strategic locations across the city to maintain order and prevent looting.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State also announced a solidarity rally in support of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Bassey Otu's governance. The rally, scheduled from August 1st to 11th, aims to highlight the achievements of both federal and state governments and encourage residents to give the government more time to implement beneficial policies.
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