Over 700 Youths Protest Alleged Neglect in Cross River, Demand Infrastructure

More than 700 youths in Yala II State Constituency of Cross River State have staged a protest, demanding improved infrastructure, effective representation, and better governance in their communities.

The protesters, under the umbrella of the United Ukelle Youths for Development, said the constituency has suffered decades of neglect despite being part of one of Nigeria’s oil-producing states.

In a statement signed by the group’s Public Relations Officer, Obok Joseph Igbang, the youths accused political leaders of abandoning the area, citing poor road networks, lack of electricity, and inadequate healthcare facilities.

Adopting the slogan “No Road, No Election,” the group warned of a possible boycott of future elections if their demands are not met.

According to the statement, residents of Ukelle believe they have been sidelined in terms of development and political representation, with little to no visible government presence in the area. Several communities, they said, lack motorable roads, electricity supply, and functional health centres.

The youths also lamented the poor condition of existing healthcare facilities, noting that residents have limited access to modern medical services.

They described their agitation as a response to years of marginalisation and a push for improved living conditions.

The protest has reportedly heightened political tension within the constituency, as youths insist they will not participate in elections until basic amenities are provided.

As part of the campaign, a protest banner bearing the inscription “No Road, No Election” was erected in Wanokom Ward to draw attention to their grievances.

The group further alleged that some political actors, in collaboration with community leaders, have attempted to suppress the protest. According to them, some youths involved in mounting the banner were fined ₦100,000, along with items including three crates of beer and a live pig.

They claimed the sanctions were imposed for publicly criticising the ongoing road project in the area, describing the move as an attempt to silence dissent.

The statement also addressed a viral video showing the alleged poor state of an ongoing five-kilometre road project in Ukelle. While some critics dismissed the footage as content creation, the group insisted it was recorded to document the true condition of the project.

They further alleged that the individual who filmed the video was pressured to release another clip contradicting the original, in what they described as an attempt to mislead the public.

Rejecting claims that protesters are “thugs” or content creators seeking attention, the youths maintained that their actions are peaceful and lawful.

“We are citizens of Cross River State. It is our constitutional right to demand accountability and development,” the statement read.

While expressing dissatisfaction, the group acknowledged the state government’s efforts in initiating the road project. They commended Governor Bassey Edet Otu for the five-kilometre construction but urged the government to extend it to cover the entire 47-kilometre stretch linking the area to the Benue border.

According to them, completing the road would significantly boost economic activities, improve transportation, and enhance access to essential services.

They reiterated their call for equal development, stressing that Ukelle residents deserve better living standards like other parts of the state.