Jalingo’s continued detention will distract you, Seadogs tell Ayade

The Cross River State chapter of the National Association of
Seadogs on Wednesday called the attention of Governor Ben Ayade to
the continued detention of a journalist, Mr Agba Jalingo, saying it
will distract the government.

The association, in a statement by its chapter President, Sir
Maurice Ibok, appealed to the governor to consider intervening in
the matter for the release of the detained Publisher of
Crossriverwatch, an online news platform.

Jalingo was arrested in Lagos on August 22, 2019, and remanded
at the correctional centre in Calabar after being charged for
treason without any progress in his trial.

But Ibok, who commended the governor for successfully
inaugurating the State Executive Council members, said the
government needed to carry out its serious business of governance
without distractions.

He said, “Your recent successful inauguration of the State
Executive Council is a step in the right direction and indicates
your strong desire to continue the serious business of providing
good governance to the people without unnecessary distraction, or
lack of focus. We truly congratulate you and offer our support to
the progressive endeavour.

“There is, however, some fly in the ointment; the matter of the
continued detention of Mr Agba Jalingo. It is a matter which has
become truly worrisome in several quarters and borders on human
rights. We are concerned that the longer that his detention lasts,
the bigger the risk of distraction that your government faces.

“We do not believe that your government desires or even would
enjoy any distraction at this or any other point in time. Besides,
it is not heart-warming to experience negative mention concerning
matters of human rights.

“We are persuaded that you do have the capacity to intervene to
bring an end to the unnecessary controversy over his continued
detention. Such intervention will cost you only the distraction
which neither you, nor your government needs, in the first place,
and end the controversy which has hardly painted an attractive
image.”